Garavo ça, reverence; this is the way to …Established 1914 Volume XVI, Number 91 1st Waning of Waso 1370 ME Friday, 18 July, 2008 Garavo ça, reverence; this is the way to auspiciousness

Established 1914

Volume XVI, Number 91 1st Waning of Waso 1370 ME Friday, 18 July, 2008

Garavo ça, reverence; this is the way to auspiciousness

* 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, 17 July —Today is Fullmoon Dayof Waso (DhammaçakkaDay), 17 July, when Bud-dhist people performedmeritorious deeds at reli-gious buildings and prac-tised meditation.

The pagoda board oftrustees organized the Wasorobe offering ceremony atShwedagon Pagoda onFullmoon Day of Waso1370 ME. Responsible per-sons donated meals to mem-bers of the Sangha and of-fered Shwekyar robes tofour Buddha images atprayer halls and PadamyarMyatshin Buddha Image onthe upper terrace.

At Sule Pagoda,members of the pagodaboard of trustees, religiousassociations, wellwishersand staff donated Wasorobes to the Buddha im-ages on the platform ofthe pagoda.

(See page 8)

Meritorious deeds performed atreligious sites in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon

YANGON, 17 July — Families of Defence Serv-ices (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers offeredalms and cash to the funds of 22 monasteries and fivenunneries, at Tawtaik Dhamma Yeiktha Monastery inTawtaik Ward in Mingaladon Township this after-noon, attended by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministryof Defence.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe donated Waso robes andalms to the State Ovadacariya Tawtaik Dhamma

Lt-Gen Myint Swe donates alms to Sayadaws atprovision offering ceremony of Tatmadaw families

Yeiktha Monastery Sayadaw.Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and De-

velopment Council Commander of Yangon CommandBrig-Gen Win Myint, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa,senior military officers and officials presented provi-sions to members of the Sangha.

Three senior military officers, on behalf offamilies of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air),donated rice, edible oil, salt and gram to members of

the Sangha and nuns.The commander offered alms donated by Yangon

Division PDC to the Sayadaw.Wellwishers also donated cash and kind to the

Sayadaw. Furthermore, Lt-Gen Myint Swe, Com-mander Brig-Gen Win Myint, Vice-Mayor Col MaungPa and senior military officers accepted K 8,676,000for the funds donated by wellwishers.

(See page 9)

Shwedagon Pagoda being packed with pilgrims on Fullmoon Day of Waso (Dhammaçakka Day). —MNA

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2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Friday, 18 July, 2008

PERSPECTIVES* 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 DesireFriday, 18 July, 2008

The national education promotion planand work programmes are long-term onesdesigned for ensuring a prosperous future ofthe nation. With this concept, the governmentis focusing on producing a growing numberof human resources by setting up goodeducation atmospheres.

The volume of the achievement in theseongoing education plans and goals restsmainly on the education sector. So, facultymembers are duty-bound to work harder inteaching and nurturing their students tobecome reliable citizens.

In particular, they have to sharpen theabilities, teach modern subjects and inculcatecorrect outlooks and views into the students.By nurturing and teaching the students botheducationally and morally, faculty memberswill achieve greater success in producinghuman resources.

With international level teaching methods,modern educational infrastructures and goodeducation environments, Myanmar is nowmaking a good headway in the educationsector. Students, on their part, have to tryhard in their studies so as to improve theireducation and help chart a brighter future ofthe nation and the people.

Today, the economic strength of the nationrelies on the education standard andinnovative power of the people. Teachers are,therefore, to dedicate themselves to thenational education plan in nurturing anddrilling the students in order to help producehuman resources all the more.

Sharpen students’ abilities toproduce human resources

NAY PYI TAW, 17July—Under thepatronage of Minister forNational Planning andEconomic DevelopmentU Soe Tha and wife DawKyu Kyu Win, the second

MNPED staff families offer Waso robes to Buddhist monksWaso robes offeringceremony of the ministrywas held at the Ministryhere this morning.

Minister U Soe Thaand wife and congregationreceived the Five Precepts

from Sayadaw BhaddantaSamvara of LetiaungMonastery in Nay Pyi TawPyinmana.

Next, the Sayadawand members of theSangha delivered a

sermon and recitedparittas. The minister andparty offered Waso robesand provisions to themonks. Later, ‘soon’ aday meal was offered tothe monks. — MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 17July—Under the Pa-tronage of Minister forProgress of Border Areasand National Races andDevelopment Affairs ColThein Nyunt and wifeDaw Kyin Khine, theemployees of the ministryconducted 15th Wasorobes offering at theministry here today.

At the donationceremony, thecongregation took theNine Precepts fromSayadaw BhaddantaPannava of Man AungMonastery.

The minister andwellwishers presentedrobes to the Sayadaw and

PBANRDA offers Waso robes

members of the Sanghaand offered a day meal tothem.—MNA

Minister U Soe

Tha and wife Daw

Kyu Kyu Win offer

Waso robes and

alms to Sayadaw.

MNA

Minister Col Thein Nyunt and wife Daw KyinKhine offer Waso robes and alms to

Sayadaw.—MNA

The 40th birthday ceremony of Gandavacaka Pandita Saddhamma

Jotika Dhaja Ashin Arcara Lankara was held in conjunction with

merits sharing ceremony for completion of ordination hall at

Koebwera missionary monastery in Dagon Myothit (North) on 17

July. Wellwishers reordain and present Waso robes to the Sayadaw

at the monastery the same day.—H

Chairman of Myanmar Rice Miller'sAssociation U Tin Win and Central

Executive members offer Waso robes andalms to Sayadaws during a ceremony to offer

Waso robes to monks at UMFCCI officetower in Yangon on 17 July 2008. — UMFCCI

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Friday, 18 July, 2008 3

US-led forces confirmkilling Afghan civilians

KABUL, 17 July—US-led coalition troops havekilled eight Afghancivilians in an air strike inthe western province ofFarah during a raid againstsuspected militants, theUS military said.

The acknowledgementcame as reports of morecivilian deaths caused bya fresh air raid by foreignforces emerged onThursday from the

neighboring province ofHerat. The air strike onTuesday was summonedafter a coalition convoycame under sustainedattack from machine gunand indirect fire from anumber of houses adjacentto a road in the Bakwadistrict of Farah, the USmilitary said.

“The coalition convoyreturned fire and called forclose air support on the

enemy positions. A housewas hit; eight civilians werekilled, two others injured,”it said in a statement lateon Wednesday.

“Coalition forces neverintentionally target non-combatants, and deeplyregret any occurrence suchas this where civilians arekilled and injured as aresult of insurgent activityand actions,” it said.

Afghan officials saidnine people, all membersof the same family werekilled in Tuesday’sbombing. In Thursday’sraid, at least four men werekilled, a spokesman for theregional police commandsaid. Witnesses said 17people were also woundedand taken to hospital.

Internet

Vical says its DNA vaccine forbird flu works

WASHINGTON,17 July—A DNA-based vaccineagainst avian influenzacan safely stimulate theimmune system to levelsexpected to protect againstflu, San Diego-basedVical Inc reported onThursday.

It said that in a study of100 volunteers, 67 percentof the patients receivingthe higher dose had

immune responses thatcould protect againstinfection with the H5N1avian flu virus, with noserious adverse reactionsafter two injections.

The Phase I clinical trial,meant to demonstrate thevaccine is safe, wascontinuing, Vical said in astatement.

“The preliminary resultsfrom this Phase 1 trial

indicate for the first timethat ... DNA vaccinationagainst H5N1 influenza iswell-tolerated and caninduce impressive anti-body responses,” DrRobert Belshe of SaintLouis University Schoolof Medicine, who moni-tored safety, said in astatement.

“Successful develop-ment of a safe andeffective DNA vaccinewill help address thepotential public healththreat of pandemicinfluenza.”

The company says aDNA-based vaccine couldbe made in six to eightweeks, compared withfour to six months forinfluenza vaccines madethe current way, using bitsof the actual virus grownin chicken eggs.—Internet

A Bosnian pharmacist displays Swiss drug makerRoche’s Tamiflu bird flu anti-viral tablets at a

pharmacy in the capital Sarajevo.INTERNET

China says inflation fallsto 7.1 percent

Thai group says agrees to ceasefire in South

A worker fills the back ofa pick-up truck with

bunches of bananas at amarket in Tegucigalpa,

Honduras. TheEuropean Commissionsaid on Wednesday it

was ready to makeconcessions in a long-running trade dispute

with Latin America overbananas in order to

advance struggling WTOnegotiations.—INTERNET

BANGKOK, 17 July— Agroup claiming to be theleaders of a bloody four-year-old separatist in-surgency in Thailand’sMuslim south said onThursday they had agreedto an immediate ceasefire.

“We have agreed to aceasefire. Our group willnow support peace insouthern Thailand,” aspokesman for theunnamed group said in a

statement broadcast onThai army television.

If true, it would be thefirst group to claimresponsibility for the neardaily bomb and gunattacks which have killedmore than 3,000 people inthe predominately Muslimsouthernmost provincesbordering Malaysia. “Wewant all other groups tostop their activitiesimmediately,” the spokes-

man, who was notidentified, said in Thai.

Chettha Thanajaro, aformer army commanderin chief and defenceminister, told army TVthat ceasefire talks hadbeen underway for “sometime now” before thegroup agreed to lay downits arms on Thursday.

He gave no furtherdetails on the group.

InternetBEIJING, 17 July—China’s inflation fell to7.1 percent in June, thegovernment reportedThursday, possibly easingpressure on Beijing to raiseinterest rates or take moredrastic steps to cool sharprises in consumer prices.The economy, meanwhile,grew by 10.1 percent inthe three months endingJune 30, a decline fromthe previous quarter's 10.6

percent expansion, but inline with governmentcontrols imposed toprevent runaway growthand higher inflation, theNational Bureau ofStatistics said.

While still high, the Junerise in consumer pricesover the same month of2007 was down fromMay’s 7.7 percent rise.The decline followedmonths of government

efforts to cool inflation byincreasing food suppliesand imposing pricecontrols on food, fuel andother basic goods.

Prices are “still runningat a fairly high level,”statistics bureau spokes-man Li Xiaochao said at anews conference, givingno indication that Beijingconsidered the problemunder control.

Internet

Afghan children loadcontainers of water ontotheir donkey in Ka-bul.US Defence Secre-tary Robert Gates saidon Wednesday he wantsto send more troops toAfghanistan “soonerrather than later,” signa-ling a shift in prioritiesfrom Iraq amid warningsof an accelerating Tali-ban threat.—INTERNET

Water ‘widespread’ on early MarsMARYLAND, 17 July—

Water was once wide-spread on Mars, data froma Nasa spacecraft show,raising the prospect that theRed Planet could havesupported life.

Researchers foundevidence of vast lakes,flowing rivers and deltason early Mars, all of whichwere potential habitats formicrobes.

They also discoveredthat wet conditionsprobably persisted for along time on the RedPlanet.Details appear in thejournals Nature and NatureGeoscience.

One study shows thatvast regions of Mars’

Clay minerals are concentrated on slopes and

along canyon walls.—INTERNET

ancient highlands, whichcover about half the planet,contain clay minerals —which can form only in thepresence of water.

Volcanic lavas buriedthe clayrich regions duringsubsequent, drier periodsof the planet’s history, butimpact craters laterexposed them at thousandsof locations across Mars.

“The big surprise fromthese new results is howpervasive and long-lastingMars’ water was, and howdiverse the wetenvironments were,” saidCrism’s chief scientistScott Murchie, from theJohns Hopkins UniversityApplied Physics Labo-ratory in Maryland.

Internet

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FLORISSANT, 17 July—A man recently divorcedfrom his wife of more than20 years shot and killedher inside a suburban StLouis mall on Wednes-day before committingsuicide, police said. Noone else was injured butthe Jamestown Mall inFlorissant was evacuated.

The shooter was 49 andhis ex-wife was 47, buttheir names had not beenreleased, St Louis Countypolice spokeswomanTracy Panus said. Panussaid they both lived in thenearby suburb of Hazel-wood and had been mar-ried more than 20 yearswith grown childrenbefore recently divorcing.

The motive for theshooting just outside theSears store had not been

Man kills woman, self inMissouri mall

Police stand outside Jamestown Mall on 16 July, 2008,in Florissant, Mo. A man shot and killed a womaninside the suburban St Louis mall on Wednesday

before killing himself, police said.—INTERNET

determined, Panus said.Marcus Gwynn said he

heard four shots as he waswalking into the mall tobegin his shift at a RadioShack store.

“I seen a lady on theground face down, thenhe sits on the ground andshot himself in the head,”said Gwynn, 21.

Deborah and MichaelMingo said they wereshopping at Sears whenthey heard several shots.She said she asked a clerkabout the noise and wastold it was likely construc-tion, but a short time laterpeople in the store weretelling them to get out.

Internet

AMMAN (Jordan), 17July— A gunman shot andwounded six people neara Roman amphitheater inJordan’s capital Wednes-day, authorities said.

The gunman shothimself in the head as hewas chased by police, andwas in critical condition,Jordan’s state minister fori n f o r m a t i o n , N a s s e rJudeh,said. The six victimswere not seriously injured,he added.

A police official identi-

Gunman wounds six inJordan’s capital

fied the assailant as Thaeral-Weheidi, 19, a residentof Baqaa camp, the largestof 11 Palestinian refugeesettlements in Jordan.

Judeh said the victimsincluded four Lebanese,an Arab-Israeli womanand their Jordanian busdriver. He described thenighttime shooting as a“criminal” incident, andsaid it did not appear ter-rorist-related.

The police official saidal-Weheidi has a criminal

record and was implicatedin previous cases ofattempted murder andlooting. The official spokeon condition ofanonymity because theinvestigation was stillunder way.

There have beenseveral shootings andother attacks in the Jord-anian capital in recentyears, some targetingtourists at the site of theamphitheater in down-town Amman.—Internet

Karnit Goldwasser (L), the widow of Israelireserve soldier Ehud Goldwasser, leaves her homein the northern city of Nahariya on 16 July, 2008.

INTERNET

SINGAPORE, 17 July—Oil was steady Thursdayin Asia after plummetingmore than $10 a barrel inthe previous two sessionsas evidence mounted thatrecord prices are slowingUS demand.

Higher US oil sup-plies, along with evidenceof quickening inflationand slowing economic

WEST LAFAYETTE

(Indiana), 17 July—Twomen often mentioned aspossible running mates toUS presidential candidateBarack Obama joined himon the campaign trail inIndiana on Wednesday,further stoking specul-ation about the Demo-crat’s closely guardedsearch for a No 2.

Former Georgia SenSam Nunn and IndianaSen Evan Bayh appearedflattered that their nameswere being bandied aboutin the media as vicepresidential contenders.

But neither wouldcomment on whether theyhad been contacted by theObama campaign about thejob. “It’s an honor, but Ihave no expectations ofbeing offered any office. Iam not in any way sittingon the edge of a chair,waiting to go back intogovernment,” Nunn toldreporters. “Certainly Iwould to talk to Sen Obamaif he wanted to talk aboutit,” he added. “But I think

Two possible Obama VP picks coy on their prospects

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen BarackObama, D-Ill, stresses a point as he speaks

between former senator Sam Nunn, left, and SenEvan Bayh, D-Ind, during a panel discussion onnational security at Purdue University in WestLafayette, Ind, on 16 July, 2008. —INTERNET

the chances of an offer arepretty slim and I would haveto do a lot of thinking ...about what was really thebest role for me.” Bayh saidhe was enjoying his currentjob as a senator and added,“I think any questions aboutthe vice presidential thingare understandable andit’s good for my ego but Ishould probably let SenObama and his campaignaddress those kinds ofquestions.”

Nunn and Bayh areboth respected voices onnational security issues.

Obama, a 46-year-oldfirst-term Illinois senator,is trying to counter cri-ticism from John McCain,his Republican rival in theNovember election, thathe lacks the foreign policyseasoning to serve ascommander-inchief. Thetwo Democrats were partof a panel discussion withObama at Purdue Uni-versity in West Lafayette,Indiana, on the threatsposed by nuclear andbiological weapons andpotential cyber attacks.

Internet

ATLANTA, 17 July— Thered ink is mounting forairlines amid soaring fuelcosts, leaving them littlechoice but to further hiketicket prices. As Delta AirLines and AmericanAirlines reported bigsecond-quarter lossesWednesday, they signaledcustomers should expectmore hits to their check-books.

There are signs overalldemand for flying within

Oil steady in Asia near $135 a barrelactivity in the world’slargest economy, havehelped pull prices downfrom last Friday’s recordabove $147 a barrel, saidVictor Shum, an oilanalyst with consultingfirm Purvin & Gertz inSingapore.

“We’ve had a run ofbearish news the last fewdays,” he said. “This

roller-coaster volatilityhas left us in a near-termtrading range of betweenabout $130 and $145.”

Midday in Singapore,light, sweet crude forAugust delivery was up25 cents at $134.85 a bar-rel in electronic tradingon the New York Mer-cantile Exchange.

Internet

Delta, AMR post combined $2.5 billion 2Q lossthe US is softening, butindustry observers insi-sted that will not stoprising fares, more fees andfewer domestic flights.

“The first thing theyhave to do is forget aboutthe butts in the seats andworry about the bucks inthe till,” Minneapolisairline expert Terry Trip-pler said. That point wasunderscored as Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Increported a $1.04 billion

loss in the April-Junequarter and Fort Worth,Texas-based AMR Corp,the parent of American,posted a $1.45 billion lossfor the quarter.

One-time charges andunprecedented fuel costsimpacted both airlines,which saw their sharessoar as their resultsbeat Wall Streetexpectations and oil pricesdropped.

Internet

Israelis bury soldiersin Haifa

HAIFA, 17 July—AsIsraelis gathered to burytwo dead soldierskidnapped two years agoby Hezbollah guerrillas,critics pushed for a changein the policy that led to thelopsided prisonerexchange which brought

their bodies home.Eldad Regev and

Ehud Goldwasser’sremains were returned byHezbollah in exchange forfive Lebanese prisonersand the remains of some200 Arab fighters onWednesday.

The men’s capturetwo years ago in a cross-border raid by Hezbollahsparked a monthlong warbetween Israel and theguerrillas. It’s not clear ifthey died in captivity orduring the raid in whichthey were seized.

Soldiers carried thecasket of Regev, drapedwith the blue and whiteIsraeli flag, toward themilitary cemetery in thenorthern Israeli city ofHaifa.

A military rabbichanted as Regev’s fatherleaned on another familymember, who comfortedhim. Thousands of othermourners trailed behind.Regev was 26 when hewas taken.—Internet

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File photo shows a group of people checking a map in front of the Wynn Casinoin Macau. The former Portuguese colony has stepped up entry restrictions on

visitors from mainland China, the government has said.—INTERNET

Containers unload cargo from a ship in Tianjin port, China in late June.China’s economic juggernaut has slowed but still maintained double-digitgrowth in the first half of the year as it sought to tame inflation and absorb

global setbacks, official statistics have shown.—INTERNET

An Airbus A380 aircraft flies during an aerialdisplay at Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire,England on 16 July. The commercial aviation

industry, widely accused of not doing enough totackle climate change, has pledged at the event

this week to become more ‘green’ as rocketing oilprices force plane manufacturers to develop fuel-

efficient aircraft.—INTERNET

MOSCOW, 17 July —Russia will continueexpanding cooperationwith China and India,especially in the economicand trade sphere, a newforeign policy paperissued Tuesday said.

“Russia will expandthe Russian-Chinesestrategic partnership in allareas, based on sharedbasic fundamentalapproaches to key issuesof world politics,” theConcept of RussianForeign Policy approved

Russia to boost ties withChina, India

Tuesday by PresidentDmitry Medvedev said.

While deepening itsstrategic partnership withIndia, Russia is pursuingthe fundamental line tostrengthen interaction indealing with pressinginternational issues and toboost mutually beneficialbilateral ties in all areas,especially in trade and theeconomy.

“Russia shares China’sand India’s interest inmaintaining effectiveforeign policy and

economic interaction in atrilateral format betweenthe three countries,” itsaid.

As leading emergingeconomies, Russia, Chinaand India have cooperatedpolitically and economi-cally in recent years toensure their soaringeconomic growth andsafeguard regional andworld stability.

Xinhua

All items from XinhuaNews Agency

WASHINGTON, 17 July— The candidacy ofBarack Obama, who wasthe first black man wonUS presidential nomi-nation of a major party,has raised hopes amongblacks and whites for abetter racial relationship,a new poll finds.

The USA TODAY/Gallup poll of nearly 2,000Americans, released hereMonday, also shows athird of both black andwhite respondents say thedefeat of the first black towin a major party’spresidential nominationwould worsen race rela-tions.

The survey under-scores the unusual stakesin this election eventhough neither DemocratObama nor RepublicanJohn McCain has soughtto cast their contest as amatter of racial politics butrather one of differentprescriptions for the

FARNBOROUGH (Britain), 17 July— Etihad Airways,the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, hassigned a contract for the purchase of 20 A320s, 25A350 XWBs (Xtra Wide-Body) and 10 Airbus A380aircraft.

The agreement was signed by James Hogan, CEOof Etihad Airways, and Tom Enders, Airbus presidentand CEO, during a ceremony Monday at the 46thFarnborough International Air Show.

“The new generation Airbus aircraft we have orderedare amongst the most fuel efficient and will helpmaintain Etihad’s fleet as one of the youngest andgreenest in the sky.

The size of our order also mirrors the risingprominence of the Middle East and its increasingemergence as a new focal point of global aviation,”said Hogan. —Xinhua

BUCHAREST, 17 July — Romania’s energy market isattracting more and more investors. From developersof wind power systems to giant energy companies,investments unveiled over the past year exceed 10billion euros (15.86 billion US dollars) in value andthousands of new megawatts in output.

Xinhua

FARNBOROUGH (UK), 17 July— Though Airbusmanaged to garner the 52 per cent of the share of ordersduring the first six months of this year, overall ordersfor Airbus and Boeing fell by nearly 100 compared tothe same period last year, it was learned on Monday.

Though fall is widely expected with the soaring oilprice, Airbus takes it as a normal fluctuation,considering that both aircraft manufacturers chalked arecord order in 2006.

The aircraft-making industry does feel the pressurefrom the market, but the oil market is a double-edgedsword — while oil consuming countries feel the squeezeof the rising oil price, oil-producing country harvesthuge windfall from the price hike, said LaurenceBarron, president of Airbus China at the FarnborgoughAir Show.

Xinhua

UAE national airways buys55 Airbus aircraft

Romania attracts 10-b-euroenergy project investment

Obama candidacy raises hopeof better racial relations

nation.Obama is slightly

ahead of McCain inGallup’s daily nationwidetracking poll, 46 to 43 percent.

“Much of the Obamacampaign has been fueledby hope that if he issuccessful he couldaddress the most divisiveissue in American politics,which is the issue of race,”says political scientistVincent Hutchings of theUniversity of Michigan,but he says blacks andwhites have conflictingperspectives on what thatmeans.

Xinhua

BAGHDAD, 17 July —An Iraqi minister surviveda roadside bomb explosionnear his convoy in easternBaghdad on Tuesdaymorning, an InteriorMinistry source said.

“Waheed Kareem,Minister of Electricity,escaped unhurt from aroadside bomb explosiontargeting his convoy inZayouna neighbourhood,”the source told Xinhua oncondition of anonymity.

Kareem was headingfor his work during theattack which woundedtwo bystanders, the sourcesaid.

Xinhua

Iraqiministerescapes

bomb attackin Baghdad

Aircraft giants meet decliningorders

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What Buddhism isNawrahta Win

Buddhism is very widely misunderstood by non-

Buddhist foreigners and most of traditional Buddhists

alike.

At the very outset, I should like to make it

absolutely clear that, strictly speaking, Buddhism is

not a religion at all. The best way to corroborate this

point and bring out its salient characteristics is to

undertake a comparative study of Buddhism with

other religions, science and philosophy. In this

comparative study, we shall employ three criteria,

namely, method of inquiry, field of study and practice

for the optimum realization of human well-being.

Before proceeding further, I wish to make one

point straight and clear. That is the fact that, if all three

criteria are to be applied at once and together and all

aspects are to be taken into consideration, there is no

other branch of human knowledge or system of thought

that is quite like Buddhism. In this respect, Buddhism

is a class by itself.

However, if we make a comparative study by

using one criterion at a time, we shall find out very

striking points of similarities between Buddhism and

science and Buddhism and philosophy, respectively.

Buddhism is not a religion

On the surface, and as far as non-essential mundane

doctrines are concerned, there are some similar

teachings in Buddhism and other religions such as

“love” for other living beings. Even in these areas, let

us take “love” as an example, similarities are only

superficial. Once we go deeper in our analysis, even

the concept of loving kindness in Buddhism is very

much different from that of love in other religions.

When we come to essential doctrines, there are no

common denominators at all between Buddhism and

other religions.

Religion is a system of faith, based on the concept

of the existence of a creator god or gods. This is the

general meaning of the word “religion”, as given in

standard English dictionaries and as understood by

most people.

In the first place, Buddhism upholds the doctrine

of Kamma (efficacy of actions). According to this

doctrine, our own actions determine our destinies. If

we perform meritorious deeds, we shall get good

results, and if we commit sins, we shall get bad ones.

Lord Buddha is not a supernatural being. He is a human

being in flesh and blood. He is only a great teacher who

shows us the way to the attainment of inner peace,

leading to the cessation of all human sufferings.

In the second place, Buddhism is not a system of

faith. Buddhism is founded on empirical observation

and logical reasoning. There is no place for faith in

Buddhism. Lord Buddha advises Kalama Kings not to

accept without reasoning any hearsay, traditional beliefs

or words of any learned and wise man, including

himself. He urges to accept his teachings and those of

other wise men only after careful reasoning and finding

out practical proofs and results through the practice of

those teachings. (1) Meditation of mindfulness is nothing

but an empirical research work on mental and physical

events. All the knowledge gained through the practice

of Buddha’s teachings is empirical knowledge,

combined with logical reasoning.

As such, in terms of essential and fundamental

doctrines and concepts, Buddhism has nothing in

common with other religions. People may refer to

Buddhism as a religion for convenience’s sake. But it

is important to bear in mind that such a reference is

incorrect and that Buddhism is not a religion at all.

Sitagu Sayadaw Dr Nanissara also proclaims that,

in the traditional sense of the word, Buddhism

cannot be called a religion by any means and on any

account. (2)

Buddhism vis-a-vis science

Science employs the method of empirical observation.

So does Buddhism. All the doctrines and concepts in

Buddhism come out of the practical exercise of meditation

of mindfulness (vipassana). As a matter of fact, meditation

of mindfulness is nothing but the empirical observation of

mental and physical events as they occur. Science employs

various sophisticated instruments such as radio telescopes,

microscopes, atomic particle accelerators, laboratories,

etc. Buddhism employs a single powerful instrument i.e.

one’s own mind.

On account of its method of empirical observation,

Buddhism is indeed a science. I shall call it a unique

system of science. Some people call it “mental

science”.

It must be noted, however, that, in serveral ways,

techniques and detailed modus operandi of Buddha’s

scientific method are much more penetrating and

powerful than those, employed by science. Let me

explain this point with reference to the two types of

knowledge. Philosophers divided knowledge into two

types: “knowledge by acquaintance” (direct

knowledge) and “knowledge by description” (indirect

knowledge). .(3) Knowledge by acquaintance is so

called, because we acquire this knowledge through

our direct contact with sense data. I shall call it direct

knowledge, since we acquire it directly from sense

data first-hand without any intermediary step or process

of inference. Knowledge by description is so called,

because we acquire it by the process of inference and

description of sense data. I shall call it indirect

knowledge since we acquire it not directly from sense

data but by describing and inferring from sense data

according to the convention of habitual thinking and

conceptions. The scientific knowledge is the

knowledge that we acquire by describing and inferring

from sense data according to the convention of certain

scientific assumptions, and interpretation. Scientific

knowledge is, therefore, indirect knowledge. To

illustrate with our practical experience, every day we

come into contact with sense data i.e sight, sound,

smell, taste and touch as well as natural objects which

can be comprehended only by mind. If we keep them

at the stage of just seeing, hearing and touching, they

remain only sense data and no more. Perceiving sense

data in such a way is called “knowledge by

acquaintance”. But if we do not stop at this stage and

interpret sense data according to our conventions,

habitual thinking and association of ideas, then we

come to recognized that this is Ko Hla, Ma Mya,

Yangon, Myanmar, etc. This knowledge is called

“knowledge by description” to give an example from

science, we detect some streak of light through a radio

telescope. Scientists do necessary scientific and

mathematical calculations, and infer that this is

evidence of the existence of a star millions of light

years away from the earth. Scientists’ inference about

the existence of a distant star is “knowledge by

description”.

Scientific knowledge is valid but only within the

confines of certain assumptions and interpretations.

Knowledge acquired by the Buddhist method of the

meditation of mindfulness is the direct knowledge,

(See page 7)

Buddhism lays down a comprehensive and elaborate

three-fold practice i.e., morality, concentration and

insight for the attainment of inner peace, leading to the

cessation of all human sufferings.

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM6


Fools, men of little intelligence, betake themselves to intoxica-

tion. The wise one protects non-intoxication as a supreme treasure.

Dhammapada-26

Wise one protects non-intoxicationas supreme treasure

What Buddhism…(from page 6)

since it comes straight from sense data at first hand.

As such, this direct knowledge is valid without any

assumptions.

Up till now, scientists have not dealt with one

very important aspect of sense data. That very

important aspect relates to the fact that sense data

are indeed realities which we can know only through

knowledge by acquaintance. Lord Buddha alone

has expounded these realities (paramathas) and

their causal relations in a most detailed manner.

Moreover, science does not tackle problems of

life or philosophical problems such as “What are

realities?”, “How do we know the external world?”,

“Why certain actions are right and certain actions

are wrong?”, etc. Nor does it deal with mind from

the point of view of realities (paramathas). Buddhism

deals with these subjects in depth. That is why it is

called “mental science.”

In addition, science does not lay down a practice

that will bring inner peace, leading to the cessation

of all human sufferings, as Buddhism does.

In view of the above, Buddhism is a science in

terms of the empirical method of inquiry it employs.

Albert Einstein says:

“If there is any religion that would cope with

modern scientific needs it would be Buddhism.” (4)

Sir Edwin Arnold says:

“I have often said, and I shall say again and

again, that between Buddhism and modern science

there exist a close intellectual bond.” (5)

“As for me, I wish to term Buddhism a super

science. I also agree with Dr. Mehm Tin Mon when

he says that Buddhism is “the ultimate science.” (6)

Buddhism vise-a-visa philosophy

Philosophy studies fundamental questions such

as “What are realities?”, “What is mind?”, “What

is matter?”, “How do we know the external world?”,

“Why certain actions are right and certain other

actions are wrong?”, etc.

So does Buddhism. Philosophy and Buddhism

share the same field of study. We may call Buddhism

a unique system of philosophy. Buddhism is, indeed,

an ethical philosophy.

It is called a unique system of philosophy,

because the method of inquiry it employs as well as

its practice that brings inner peace, leading to the

cessation of all human sufferings, is conspicuous

by their absence in other philosophies. The principal

method of inquiry, employed by Buddhism, is

empirical observation.

The method of inquiry, employed by

philosophy up till now, is conceptual analysis and

logical reasoning. Buddhism also employs to some

extent conceptual analysis and logical reasoning as

a secondary method of inquiry in supplement to,

and in combination with empirical observation. But

the fact remains that its principal method of inquiry is

empirical boservation.

Moreover, Buddhism lays down a comprehensive

and elaborate three-fold practice i.e., morality,

concentration and insight for the attainment of inner

peace, leading to the cessation of all human sufferings.

For these reasons, Dr. Mehm Tin Mon calls

Buddhism “the supreme Philosophy,”(7) As for me, I

shall term it “the most advanced empirical

philosophy.”

Come and see for yourself

Some people may still call Buddhism a religion

nominally for convenience’s sake. But they should

bear in mind that, in essence and substance, Buddhism

is not a religion at all. I should like to advise them to

refer to Buddhism as Buddha Dhamma (teachings),

rather than as a religion.

From the foregoing analysis, we can conclude the

following on the basis of firm evidence and concrete

facts:- Buddhism is not a religion.

* It is a science in terms of the empirical method

it employs. It may be appropriately termed as

a super science.

* It is a philosophy in terms of its field of study.

It may appropriately be termed as the most

advanced empirical philosophy.

* It is a culture or a spiritual culture, if you like.

* It is a way of life.

* It is an ethical system or a practice for inner

peace, leading to the cessation of all human

sufferings.

* It is an art of living.

* It is a problem-solving methodology in its

most advanced and sophisticated form, and

* It is an important subject for serious study at

schools and universities by students and

scholars alike, as well as an art of living or a

branch of knowledge to be applied, in daily

life by every one of us.

One of the attributes of Lord Buddha’s teachings

is his open invitation to everyone to come and practise

Buddhism and see for one here and now in what ways

Buddhism is unique.

Let us, therefore, not be content with traditional

myths and misconceptions about Buddhism. Let us

pursue a careful and serious study to see what

Buddhism really is.

For those people who are keenly interested in

deep study of profound subjects, they are most

cordially invited to study the Buddhist Abhidhammã

(the Buddhist philosophy or Lord Buddha’s Higher

Teachings). They are sure to be very much impressed

when they come to learn the most detailed and

sophisticated analysis of mind and matter as well as

myriads of methods in Abhidhammã which they

cannot find anywhere else.

Footnotes

1. Kesamutti Sutta, Tika Nipat, Angutara Nikaya

(Myanmar Translation Text— MTT), Vol.

I, Religious Affairs Dept, 1966, page 206.

2. Dr, Nyanissara, Buddha and Buddhism, Sitagu

International Buddhist University, 2007,

page-92

3. Russell, Bertrand, the Problems of Philosophy,

Oxford University Press, 1974, page-25.

4. Albert Einstein, Buddhism Copes with

Science, Buddhism in the Eyes of

Intellectuals (kmıa.pva Tium¥k\lMu;T´kbudÎBaqa)'

m¥io;Sk\qs\saep' 2004' sa-100'

5. Sir Edwin Arnold, Buddhism and Modern

Science, (kmıa.pva Tium¥k\lM u;T´kbudÎBaqa)'

m¥io;Sk\qs\saep' 2004' sa-100'

6. Dr. Mehm Tin Mon, The Essence of Buddha

Abhidhamma, Mya Mon Yadanar

Publications, 1995, page vi.

7. Dr. Mehm Tin Mon, Abhidhamma (Higher

Level), Vol. I, I.T.B.M.U, 2005, page 11.

* Nawrahta Win is the pen-name of H.E U Mya

Than, President of Management Committee and

Pro-Rector of the International Institute of

Abhidhammã (I.I.A).

*****

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM7


(from page 1)Botahtaung Pa-

goda was packed with pil-

Meritorious deedsperformed at religious…

grims today. At theDhammayon, NeikbanMonastery Presiding

Nayaka SayadawBhaddanta Vasava ofSeikkan Township in-vested the Precepts at thecongregation. In theafternoon, YesagyoSayadaw TipitakadharaDhammabhandagarikaAgga Maha PanditaBhaddanta Vayaminda ofDagon Myothit(East) Township andAgga Maha Pandita AggaMaha SaddhammaJotikadhaja BhaddantaGarava of Monywa ad-ministered Desana.

The Waso robe of-fering ceremony andDhammapuja ceremonywere held at Kaba AyePagoda this afternoon.Members of thePagoda Board of Trus-tees offered Wasorobes to Buddha imagesin the Gandakuti build-ing.

cials donated Wasorobes to members of theSangha. The pagoda waspacked with devoteeswho offered alms, flow-ers, water and lights tothe pagoda.

Similar ceremo-nies were held at MahaWizaya, Tooth Relic Pa-goda (Yangon), LawkaCantha Abhaya LabhaMuni Buddha Image,Ngahtatgyi, Chauk-htatkyi, Koehtatgyi,Kyaikwaing, Kyaikka-san, Meilamu and otherpagodas in townships ofYangon Division.

At the foot ofShwehintha Hill in NayPyi Taw Tatkon, the con-secration, Waso robe andflower offering and reci-tation of DhammaçakkaSutta were held. Pilgrimsalso visited the pagodason the hill.

Likewise, devo-tees offered Waso robesto members of theSangha, practised medi-

Sule Pagoda on Fullmoon Day of Waso(Dhammaçakka Day). —MNA

Devotees visit Koehtatgyi Pagoda on Fullmoon Day of Waso(Dhammaçakka Day). —MNA

Botahtaung Pagoda being packed with peopleon Fullmoon Day of Waso

(Dhammaçakka Day).MNA

The 51st Waso robes offering ceremony being held at Shwephonepwint Pagoda on Fullmoon Day of Waso (Dhammaçakka Day). —MNA

tation and recitedDhammaçakka Sutta at

Shwekyettaung Pagoda. MNA

The 51st Wasorobe offering ceremonywas organized atShwephonepwint Pa-goda in PazundaungTownship at 2 pm. Offi-

Pilgrims visit Sule Pagoda on Fullmoon Day of Waso(Dhammaçakka Day). —MNA

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM8


Lt-Gen Myint Swe offers Waso robes to members of the Sangha

YANGON, 17 July – AWaso robes offering cer-emony was held in con-junction with a ceremonyto honour two monks whopassed Tipitakadhara se-lection examination andthree religious title recipi-ent lay persons atPitakathonepon Nikayamonastery in DagonMyothit (South) Town-ship this morning. Lt-Gen

Myint Swe of the Minis-try of Defence offeredWaso robes to theSayadaw and presentedcertificates and provi-sions to the monks.

It was also attended bymembers of the Sangha ledby Presiding NayakaSayadaw of the monasteryGolden AnniversaryTipitakadhara Dham-m a b h a n d a g a r i k a

B h a d d a n t aSilakkhandhabhivamsa,Chairman of Yangon Di-vision Peace and Devel-opment Council Com-mander of Yangon Com-mand Brig-Gen Win Myintand wife Daw KyinMyaing, departmental of-ficials, religious title re-cipient lay persons, socialand religious organizationmembers and guests.

First, Lt-Gen MyintSwe and party received theNine Precepts from theSayadaw.

Next, the congregationoffered Waso robes andprovisions to the Sayadaw.

The commander andwife and officials offeredWaso robes and offerto-ries to the members of theSangha.

Next, Lt-Gen Myint

Swe presented certificatesand provisions to AshinJotisaralankara and AshinKelasa who passed EkaTipitakadhara selected ex-amination.

The commander pre-sented certificates to AggaMaha Thiri ThudhammaManijotadhara TraditionalPractitioner U Bo Gyi,Agga Maha Thiri Thu-dhamma Manijotadhara

Sitagu U Naing Oo andThudhamma Theingi DawKhin Swe Oo.

Next, Lt-Gen MyintSwe and party shared themerits gained.

After the ceremony,Lt-Gen Myint Swe, thecommander and wife andofficials offered Wasorobes and day meal tomembers of the Sangha.

MNA

Lt-Gen Myint Swe donates…(from page 1)

Lt-Col Myo Naing ofYangon Command Head-quarters supplicated onthe purpose of the dona-tions.

Today’s donations tothe monasteries and nun-neries amounted to 328bags of rice, 271 viss ofedible oil, 2,446 viss ofiodized salt, 489 viss ofgram, 490 tubes of tooth-paste, 1,968 bottles of tra-ditional medicines, 480

Sayadaw. The com-mander, the vice-mayor,senior military officers andofficials donated provi-sions to members of theSangha.

Three senior militaryofficers presented alms do-nated by families of De-fence Services (Army,Navy and Air) to theSayadaw.

Next, Lt-Gen MyintSwe, the commander, thevice-mayor and officialsaccepted K 23,590,000 do-nated by wellwishers.

dozens of pencils and K8,676,000.

To donate cash andkind to 34 monasteries andeight nunneries inMayangon Township, asimilar ceremony was heldat Naga Cave KalewaTawya Monastery inMayangon Township thisafternoon.

Lt-Gen Myint Sweoffered Waso robes andalms to Naga Cave KalewaTawya Monastery

Cmdr Myint Lwin ofAyeyawady Naval RegionCommand Headquarterssupplicated on the purposeof the donations.

Today’s donations tothe monasteries and nun-neries in MayangonTownship amounted to730 bags of rice, 568 vissof edible oil, 5,686 viss ofiodized salt, 1,137 tubesof toothpaste, 1,830 bot-tles of traditional medi-cines, 1,137 viss of gramand K 23,590,000.

MNA

Culture Ministry offersWaso robes

NAY PYI TAW, 17 July— Under the aegis of Min-ister for Culture Maj-GenKhin Aung Myint and wifeDaw Khin Pyone, stafffamilies of the Ministry ofCulture held the thirdWaso robes offering cer-emony at the ministry,here, yesterday morning.

Minister Maj-GenKhin Aung Myint, wifeDaw Khin Pyone, depart-mental heads andwellwishers donatedWaso robes and alms to10 members of the Sanghafrom three Monasteries.

Likewise, staff of Ar-chaeology, National Mu-seum and Library Depart-ment (South), the NationalMuseum and the NationalLibrary held the Wasorobes offering ceremonyat Byugon Pariyatti Mon-astery in Gyogon of InseinTownship, the ANMLD(North) and those of theMandalay Cultural Mu-seum and the Library atMaha KhemikayamaThitseint Monastery ofAungmyethazan Town-ship.

MNA

Lt-Gen Myint Swe and congregation receive the Nine Precepts from Sayadaw at Waso robes offering ceremony held in conjunction withceremony to honour two monks.—MNA

Minister Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint and wifeDaw Khin Pyone offer Waso robes and provi-

sions to Sayadaw. — MNA

Lt-Gen Myint Swe accepts cash from wellwishers. —MNA

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM9


Objectives of the 16th MyanmarTraditional Cultural Performing

Arts CompetitionsNAY PYI TAW, 17 July

— Under the aegis ofMinister for InformationBrig-Gen Kyaw Hsanand wife Daw Kyi KyiWin, Printing andPublishing Enterpriseheld the first Waso robeoffering ceremony atKyaungthit Monastery inSaya San Ward of NayPyi Taw Tatkon thismorning.

PPE organizes Waso robe offeringceremony in Nay Pyi Taw Tatkon

It was attended byMinister for InformationBrig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,Director-General U ChitNaing of Information andPublic Relations Depart-ment, Managing DirectorU Aung Nyein of PPEand wife, ManagingDirector U Soe Win ofNews and PeriodicalsEnterprise, ManagingDirector U Aung Myo

Myint of MyanmaMotion PictureEnterprise, officials andstaff families.

Sayadaw BhaddantaKumara administered theNine Precepts, andmembers of the Sangharecited Parittas.

The minister andthose present offeredWaso robes and alms tomembers of the Sanghaand shared the meritsgained.

Later, the minister andthe congregation offeredday meal to the membersof the Sangha. —MNA

Flood Bulletin

NAY PYI TAW, 17 July—Department ofHydrology and Meteorology today issued a floodbulletin that the water level of Chindwin river atKalewa has fallen below its danger level starting thismorning.

The water level of Ayeyawady river at Hinthadais rising by (0.5) cm/ hr in average at present and it hasexceeded by (3.5) cm (about 1.2 ft) above its dangerlevel. It is expected to fall from 18 July and fall belowits danger level (1342) cm during the next (4) dayscommencing today.

MNA

Nay Pyi Taw Zoological Gardens full of peopleon 17 July, Public Holiday. —MNA

Nay Pyi Taw Zoological Gardens packed with peopleon Public Holiday, 17July. —MNA

M

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and

congregation receive the Nine Precepts from

a Sayadaw at Waso robes offering ceremony

of PPE.— MNA

Well-wishers from Ward-25 of Thuwunna, Thingangyun Township receive the Nine Preceptsfrom a Sayadaw at Waso robes offering ceremony on 17 July. —MNA

1. Uplift of national prestige and integrity andpreservation and safeguarding of culturalheritage and national character

2. Uplift of the morale and morality of theentire nation

3. Keeping genuine patriotism based on nationalsolidarity alive and dynamic

4. Turning out younger generation who willcontinue to safeguard the national cultureand character

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM10


Houston Fire Department investigators check thescene of a balcony collapse at the Westwood

Fountains apartment complex ,on 16 July, 2008,in southwest Houston.—INTERNET

Euro coins and a US dollar bill. The dollar firmed against the euro Wednesdayon news that US inflation in June rose at the fastest clip in 26 years, fueling

speculation the Federal Reserve may be forced to raise interest rates.—INTERNET

An animal market in Jakarta. Tiger skins and rarecaged primates openly sold at markets in the heart ofIndonesia’s capital are the most brazen and visible

aspect of a thriving illegal wildlife trade.—INTERNET

WASHINGTON, 17 July— Democratic presid-ential candidate BarackObama said on Tuesday a“single-minded” focus onIraq was distracting theUnited States from otherthreats and he renewed hisvow to end the war.

“This war diminishesour security, our standingin the world, our military,our economy, and theresources that we need toconfront the challenges ofthe 21st century,” Obama

Obama says US must end“single-minded” focus on Iraq

said in excerpts of a speechto be delivered later onTuesday.

“By any measure, oursingle-minded and open-ended focus on Iraq is nota sound strategy forkeeping America safe,” hesaid. Obama, who has beenaccused by his Republicanrival John McCain ofshifting positions on Iraq,is seeking to lay out hisviews on the war ahead ofa planned trip to Afghanis-tan and Iraq soon.

Dates of the trip havenot been disclosed forsecurity reasons.

The Democratic can-didate’s critics have sugg-ested he was wavering onthe 16-month timetablehe laid out for the with-drawal of US troops be-cause of his recentcomment that he might“refine” his policies onIraq based on consult-ations with militarycommanders.

MNA/Reuters

BAGHDAD, 17 July — Iraq’s Parliament failed toapprove a draft provincial elections law on Tuesdaybecause of disagreement over what to do about votingin the disputed oil city of Kirkuk, lawmakers said.

It was unclear when Parliament would conveneagain to consider the draft, which has to be passed sothe electoral commission can prepare for polls seen asvital to fostering national reconciliation.

At one stage Kurdish lawmakers — who haveobjected to attempts to delay voting in Kirkuk —walked out of Parliament in protest and the draft wasnot voted on as had been scheduled.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said provincialelections would be held on 1 October, but that looksincreasingly unlikely. The electoral commission hassaid it needs three months to prepare once the law hasbeen passed.

“It needs more time for discussion and it also needsa political consensus. But I don’t know how this issuewill be solved,” Safia al-Shuail, an independentlawmaker, told Reuters.

Hashim al-Taie, head of a Parliament committeethat deals with the provinces, said the Kurds objectedto a provision that sought to either postpone the electionin Kirkuk or to equally share power in the city amongits different ethnic groups. Fouad Masoum, the headof the Kurdish alliance in Parliament, rejected the newprovision. —MNA/Reuters

MOSCOW, 17 July —US plans to deploy amissile shield in the CzechRepublic and Poland areundermining securityarrangements in Europethat have underpinnedpeace for decades, RussianPresident Dmitry Med-vedev said on Tuesday.

In a toughly-wordedspeech to Russia’s leadingdiplomats, Medvedev saidthe security frameworkcould collapse because ofthe shield and problemswith a conventional forcespact.

“This common (secu-rity) heritage cannotsurvive if one of the sidesselectively destroys isol-ated elements of thestrategic construction. Thisdoes not satisfy us,” saidMedvedev, a 42-year-oldformer lawyer.

“Deployment of ele-ments of the US globalanti-missile system in

GAZA, 17 July— Israelhas allowed more goodsinto Gaza from Mondaythrough three commercialcrossings it partly reop-ened as part of an Egy-ptian-brokered ceasefire,Hamas government saidon Tuesday.

The new goods to enterincluded constructionmaterials and fuel, said theMinistry of Economy inthe deposed Hamas

VIENNA, 16 July — Iranhas told big powers it willenter no more “condesc-ending” talks meant toscrap its nuclear program-me but wants to negotiatea broader peace and secu-rity deal, according to anIranian letter leaked onTuesday.

The 4 July letter, publi-shed on a French weekly’swebsite and verified by

Iraq elections law delayedover Kirkuk dispute

US shield move threatensEuropean security

eastern Europe onlymakes the situation worse.We will need to react tothis adequately,” he said.

Washington wants todeploy interceptor mis-siles and radar in Polandand the Czech Republicas part of a missile defenceshield it says is needed todefend from attacks bywhat it calls rogue states,specifically Iran.

MNA/Reuters

Israel sends goods to Gaza via three crossingsgovernment.

Through the maincrossing at Karni, 158truckloads of goods suchas food, clothes, stonesand gravels, weighing 11tons, entered into GazaCity.

Eighty-six truck-loads also entered intoGaza via Sofa crossing,eight of which carryingconcrete and limecement.

During the closure ofthe crossings as part ofIsrael’s sanctions aga-inst Hamas, the con-struction materials werebarred from going toGaza.

MNA/Xinhua

Iran says no more “condescending” atom talksdiplomatic sources, wasIran’s response to animproved incentives pack-age from the six powersaimed at halting a uraniumenrichment programmethey fear could yield atombombs.

The classified replyignored the demand by thesextet — the United Sta-tes, Britain, France, Ger-many, Russia and China

— that Iran suspendenrichment to obtain thebenefits but made clear thiswas not up for negotiation.

“We have no intentionof changing this path,”said the three-page, Eng-lish-language version ofletter by Foreign MinisterManouchehr Mottaki,alluding to its campaignfor a nuclear fuel industry.

MNA/Reuters

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM11


MINISTRY OF RAIL TRANSPORTATION

ROAD TRANSPORT, YANGON DIVISION

INVITATION TO TENDER

TENDER NO.002/TRT/2008-20091. Sealed tenders from eligible suppliers are invited for the supply of the followingTyres Sets with Tubes and Flaps.Prices to quoted in Myanmar Kyats-

(a) 9.00 x 20 (1500 ) Sets (Huaqing Brand-China)(b) 7.50 x 16 ( 300 ) Sets (Huaqing Brand-China)(c) 10.00 x 20 ( 200 ) Sets (Indo Brand-China)

2 .(a) Tender Documents are available at the office of Procurement & StoresDepartment, Yangon Division, Road Transport, No.375/ Bogyoke AungSan Street, Yangon, Myanmar. Commencing on the 21-7 2008

(b) Tender will be closed on 4-8-2008 at 16:00 hours (The Road Transportreserves the right to reject any or all tenders)

3. Detailed information will be available at the office of Procurement &Stores Department, Phone No. 01-252574 (or) 01-376549

Road Transport

Iran to hold another airforce wargame soon

TEHERAN, 17 July—Commander of Iran's Army AirForce, Amir Pilot Ahmad Mighani, announced onTuesday Iran's Army will hold a great wargame soon ina bid to present the defence and battle power of its AirForce to practice protective mechanisms.

In the wargame dubbed “the protectors of Velayatair”, “we will demonstrate our strength and will givethe message to our enemies that in case they have thedream of any offense, they will receive a very crushingblow,” he told reporters.

Claiming that Iran has constructed aircrafts whichcan escape the radar detection, Mighani said, “Today,the Army Air Force has achieved a high capability, andthe construction of such aircrafts will multiple thestrength of the Air Force.” Iran’s Islamic RevolutionGuards Corps (IRGC) have just completed militarymaoneuvres in the Gulf called Payambar-e Azam 3(Great Prophet 3) to improve combat readiness andcapability. — MNA/Xinhua

Guatemala, Mexicoto beef up security

along borderMEXICO CITY, 17 July—

Guatemala and Mexicowill widen a bilateralsecurity plan along theirshared border of 900kilometres to combat withgreater effectiveness theorganized crime in thearea. The agreement wasreached when Mexicanand Guatemalan interiorministers met Tuesday inthe Guatemalan bordercity of Tecun Uman,Mexico’s media reported.

Mexican Interior Mini-ster Juan Camilo Mourinoand his Guatemalan coun-terpart Francisco Jimenezagreed to upgrade thecurrent border securitymechanism to coordinatecooperation in securityissues at the border.

Mourino said thatsecurity is a problem thatis common to bothcountries, which “has to beaddressed with a commonperspective and should besolved in full coordination.”

Jimenez said that theaim is to improve the lifeconditions and the securityof the people who livealong the border.

MNA/Xinhua

Colombians asked to helpformer rebels rejoin society

Israel arrests seven inNablus, includingHamas members

RAMALLAH, 17 July—Israeli forces arrested sevenPalestinians in West Bank city of Nablus early onTuesday, including prominent Hamas members. According to local sources in the city, several Armyvehicles rolled into the city from its eastern side anddeployed along the streets. During the operation, the troops arrested SheikhAbderrahim al-Hanbali, former head of Nablus almscommittee linked to Hamas. Meanwhile, the Israeli forces broke into the house ofKholoud al-Massri, a member of Nablus municipalcouncil, and arrested the Hamas activist and herhusband, the sources said. A Hamas website reported that the Israeli Armyarrested its 24-year-old reporter in Nablus alongsidehis father. Another youth and a female social activistwere also arrested in the city. Last week, Israel launched a crackdown against Hamasinstitutions and charities in the West Bank, especiallyin Nablus City where several Hamas-linedorganizations were closed. Israel said the campaign is aimed at destroying theIslamic movement's civil infrastructure in the WestBank. Israel also carried out routine raids in the WestBank to detain Palestinians accused of participating inattacks against Israeli targets. — MNA/Xinhua

BOGOTA, 17 July—Colombian Governmentcalled on Tuesday itscitizens to help the formermembers of rebel armedgroups to resume theirnormal social life.

“We have to help themto rejoin the society,” saidFrank Pearl, senior adviserfor the governmentintegration programme.

About 42,000 rebelshave been demobilizedsince 2002, and amongthem at least 10,000 weremembers of the FARC,Pearl said.

He noted that as largenumbers of guerillamembers left the armedrebel groups, kidnappings,killings and extortionshave dropped and tran-quility is returning to theland. “The biggest chall-enge is not for the govern-ment but for the society.Most of us do not want theFARC, but we are notready to receive them,”Pearl said.

Colombian PresidentAlvaro Uribe encouragedmembers of the FARC andELN to desert their groups

and promised them a betterlife.

The government’smove made the formerrebels aware that they arewasting the best years oftheir lives and promptthem to look for a differentfuture, Pearl said.

But many formerguerilla members en-countered difficulties inemployment, educationand social welfare such asmedical care due todiscrimination by theircommunities, saidPearl.— MNA/Xinhua

Kevin Pritchard of the US is airborne during thewave sailing event at the Gran Canaria WorldWindsurfing Championship at Pozo Izquierdo beach in the Canary Islands recently.—INTERNET

Drive with care

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM12


Global warming may increasekidney stone incidence

WASHINGTON, 17 July—Among the many diseasespredicted to come withclimate change, a team ofUS researchers say kidneystones may become morecommon as the tem-perature rises across NorthAmerica, media reportssaid Monday.

Researchers fromUniversity of Texas ex-amined how the incidenceof kidney stones would

change with increasingtemperatures and suggestkidney stones mayincrease across the UnitedStates by as much as 30per cent in the mostaffected areas.

In addition, theycalculate the direct andindirect costs of treatingapproximately twomillion new kidney stonecases annually couldincrease by 1 billion US

dollars by 2050, which is25 per cent more than thecurrent expenditures.

Previous research hasfound the risk of kidneystone formation isincreased by low urinevolume, which reflects thestate of body hydration.

While the response ofkidney stone formation totemperature increase isuncertain, the authorsnote kidney stoneincidence is higher inwarmer parts of thecountry, especially thesoutheast, presumablydue to fluid loss in warmclimate.

MNA/Xinhua

Thai Cabinet approves Russian diesel import plan BANGKOK,16 July—

Thailand’s Cabinet appr-oved on Tuesday a planto buy 300,000 tons amonth of low-grade,cheap diesel from Russia,but it gave no details ofthe net crude importer’slatest bid to ease risingfuel prices.

Prime Minister SamakSundaravej told reportersafter the Cabinet meetingthe import plan was nowin the hands of EnergyMinistry officials.

“We need the EnergyMinistry’s approval on thespecifications before wecan start importing,” saidSamak, who first anno-unced the Russian deal on

his weekend televisionshow.

Investors have soldshares in the country’sbiggest oil and gas firm,PTT PCL, fearing thecheap fuel would erodePTT’s retail sales. Thestock ended down 5.6 percent on Tuesday.

The 300,000 tons are aquarter of overall domesticconsumption of diesel permonth.

Thailand does notcurrently import diesel asit has been building up itsrefining sector over thepast 10 years with a totalcapacity of one millionbarrels per day (bpd),making it not only self-

sufficient in oil productsbut also a net exporter onoccasions.

Thailand’s diesel con-sumption in June is 45.2million litres per day,down 9.6 per cent fromMay’s 50.0 millionlitres.

Samak did not name theparties involved, butsaid on Sunday the firstbatch of Russian dieselwould be sold at an eightbaht (25 US cents) a litrediscount to pump pricesand could arrive inBangkok in 60 days.

MNA/Reuters

Energy, environment majorissues for Sino-EU ties

BEIJING, 16 July—French Ambassador toChina Herve Ladsous saidhere on Monday the majorissues for Sino-EuropeanUnion relations in the nextsix months would still beenergy and environmentproblems.

“The two major topicswill be reflectedparticularly on thediscussion schedules ofthe Asia-Europe Meeting(ASEM) to be held here inOctober and the China-EUsummit held in France atthis year end,” said HerveLadsous at a Pressconference here onMonday.

“The two meetings areof great importance for theorientation of Sino-EUrelations in future.” WithFrance being the rotating

chairman of the EU since1 July, it had four majortasks during its term —climate change response,joint agriculture policypushing, new emigrationpolicy practicing andnational defence policymaking, Ladsous said.

MNA/Xinhua

WTO backs help forworkers hit by globalization

GENEVA, 16 July — Government schemes to helpworkers displaced by trade liberalization can promotepublic support for trade reform, the benefits of whichare increasingly under question, the World TradeOrganization (WTO) said.

In a report published on Tuesday, the global tradebody also said such programmes can be justified onfairness or efficiency grounds, although they may bedifficult to target.

WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said few wouldcontest the benefits that globalization had brought interms of greater prosperity for hundreds of millions ofpeople.

Storm “Kalmaegi’’ close tonorthernmost Philippines

MANILA, 16 July—Tropical storm Kalmaegi(locally called “Helen”)maintained its strength asit moved closer to thePhilippines’ northernmostprovince of CagayanTuesday night, the Phil-ippine Atmospheric Geo-physical and Astrono-mical Services Admi-nistration (Pagasa) said.

In its 11 pm (1500 GMT)advisory, the weather

agency said Kalmaegiwas estimated at 140kilometres east of Aparri,Cagayan as of 10 pm,withmaximum sustainedwinds of 75 kph near thecentre and gustiness of upto 90 kilometres per hour.Kalmaegi was movingwest-northwest at 7 kphand is estimated to be 60kilometres north of Aparri,Cagayan by Wednesdayevening, Pagasa said.

The tropical storm willcontinue to enhance thesouthwest monsoon andbring rains over the rest ofLuzon particularly overthe western section, itadded. “Residents in low-lyingareas and near mountainslopes are advised totake all the necessaryprecautions againstpossible flashfloods andlandslides,” said theagency.

MNA/Xinhua

An Ubisoft employee at work. Hot French videogame maker Ubisoft islaunching titles geared for girl athletes in a bet that it’s not just boys that love

sports both real and virtual.—INTERNET

This image provided byNASA shows a colour-enhanced image of thedelta in Jezero Crater,

which once held a lake.Two studies based on data

from NASA’s MarsReconnaissance Orbiter

have revealed that the RedPlanet once hosted vast

lakes, flowing rivers and avariety of other wet

environments that had thepotential to support life.

INTERNET

MNA/Reuters

A macaque monkey is

seen in a cage in a zoo.

Tiny changes in a

messenger chemical in

the brain acetylcholine

can greatly affect powers

of attention, according to

a paper released on

Wednesday by Nature,

the London-based weekly

journal.

INTERNET

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM13


S P O R T S

MADRID, 17 July— Former Real Madrid coachVicente del Bosque will take charge of Spain until the2010 World Cup, the Spanish Football Federation(RFEF) said on Tuesday.

Spanish media reported he will be presented onThursday at 1115 GMT after a meeting of the RFEFgeneral assembly on Wednesday.

“The RFEF executive committee approved presi-dent Angel Maria Villar’s proposal of Del Bosque asnew coach for a period of two years,” the RFEF saidin statement. The 57-year-old Del Bosque replacesLuis Aragones, who quit to join Fenerbahce afterleading the national side to victory at Euro 2008 inJune. The 1-0 win over Germany in the final in Viennaearned Spain their first major trophy in 44 years.

MNA/Reuters

Del Bosque appointed asnew Spain coach

FOIX (France), 17 July— Cadel Evans kept the Tourde France leader’s yellow jersey after the final climbof the Pyrenees, while Moises Duenas Nevado wokeup to the sound of police banging on his hotel doorhours before stage 11 was to start.

Following Manuel Beltran’s positive test after thefirst stage, Duenas Nevado became the second Span-ish rider to fail a doping test for EPOstill a drug ofchoice for a sport rocked by scandal the past threeyears.

“It is sad. It is always bad for cycling,” said 1996Tour winner Bjarne Riis, who runs Team CSC. “But Ithink it’s also good. First of all we see the tests work.We have a lot of tests. We need a lot of tests to cleanup the sport.”—Internet

Evans keeps lead as doping hits Tour

Cadel Evans of Australia, wearing the overallleader’s yellow jersey, rides in the pack during the

11th stage of the Tour de France cycling racebetween Lannemezan and Foix, southern France,

on 16 July, 2008. Kurt-Asle Arvesen of Norwaywon the stage.—INTERNET

SOUTHPORT, 17 July— Champion Padraig Harringtonteed off as scheduled in Thursday’s opening round atthe British Open, allaying fears he would be unable todefend his title because of a wrist injury.

In driving rain and gusting winds at Royal BirkdaleGolf Club, the Irishman struck a two iron into the rightrough before running up a bogey at the par-four first.

Harrington, who won last year’s title at Carnoustiein a four-hole playoff with Spaniard Sergio Garcia,had said he was “75 percent hopeful” of playing in thebuild-up to the third major of the year.

Internet

Ailing Harrington tees off at Birkdale

Lee Westwood of England, seen here at practice,missed out on a place in last month’s US Openplay-off by a shot and has come into the BritishOpen declaring himself as confident as he ever

been going into a major.—INTERNET

SPRINGFIELD, 17 July—Michelle Wie, who is strug-gling through one of her worst seasons on the LPGATour, said she still aspires to play in men’s golftournaments.

“It’s still my goal,” said Wie who is entered in theLPGA’s State Farm Classic which begins Thursday.“That’s why I started playing golf. It’s what drives me.So it’s definitely still in my mind right now.”

Wie, who received a sponsor’s exemption to play inthe 1.7 million dollar event, said she would like tofinish in the top five this week.

“All I’m thinking about right now is playing goodthis week and what can I do to get a top five or besatisfied after this week.”—Internet

Michelle Wie, seen here, who is struggling throughone of her worst seasons on the LPGA Tour, said

she still aspires to play in men’s golftournaments.—INTERNET

Wie hopes to get back in grooveat Springfield event

BARCELONA, 17 July— Belarus internationalmidfielder Alexander Hleb signed for Catalan giantsBarcelona from English Premiership side Arsenal for15million euros on Wednesday on a four year contractwhich will see him team up again with another formerGunner in Thierry Henry.

The move could cost another 2million euros de-pending on the player’s performances whilst should hewish to leave before his contract ends it would cost theclub wishing to buy him 90million euros.

“I love this club (Barcelona)” said Hleb, who joinedArsenal from VfB Stuttgart for 11.2million pounds in2005.—Internet

Hleb signs for Barcelona

Barcelona’s new player Alexander Hleb poses outsidethe Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona after agreeing

terms with the Catalan club in Barcelona.—INTERNET

SOUTHPORT, 17 July— In one of those charmingEnglish villages near Royal Birkdale Golf Club, thelamp posts are adorned with alternating pictures ofTiger Woods and Padraig Harrington.

The British Open began Thursday morning in astrong breeze and light rain, which figured to makegolfing’s oldest major a stern test even without Woods,a three-time champion.

He was stuck on a couch back in the States, recov-ering from season-ending knee surgery that knockedhim out of his first major since 1996.

Harrington, who won a year ago at Carnoustie in amemorable finish with Sergio Garcia, was hardly ingood shape to defend his title. The Irishman injured hiswrist last weekend and was only able to get in a half-round of practice. He put his odds of making it through18 holes at only 50 percent. “I’ll be apprehensivehitting any shot,” said Harrington, who hit his openingtee shot in the rough and took bogey at the openinghole. —Internet

Woods stuck at home, Harringtonmay soon join him

Mourinho says frankly weneed midfielder

MILAN, 17 July — Inter Milan still need a midfielderand the door remains open for Frank Lampard, coachJose Mourinho said on Wednesday.

Mourinho won two Premier League titles withLampard while at Chelsea and has had a bid rejectedby the London club, who say they will not enter intonegotiations over a transfer.

Media reports have said Lampard is torn overwhether he should move to Italy and Mourinho iswilling to wait.

“The transfer window is open until 31 August andwe need a midfielder. Lampard is at Chelsea, but Ihave worked really well with him,” Mourinho told anews conference on Inter's first day back for pre-season training.

“I worked with Frank for three and a half years,there is an unforgettable relationship. But in thismoment I respect players and the clubs.”

The Portuguese coach, who left Chelsea last Sep-tember, took over Italian champions Inter in June afterRoberto Mancini's sacking.

Mourinho also has his eye on compatriot RicardoQuaresma but wants to sort out a bulging squad first.

MNA/Reuters

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R 489 Published by the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar. Edited and printed at The New Light of Myanmar Press,No 22/30 Strand Road at 43rd Street, Yangon. Cable Newlight, PO Box No. 43, Telephones: Editors 392308, Manager 392226, Circulation 392304, Advertisement 392223,Accounts 392224, Administration 392225, Production/Press 392369

Thursday, 17 July, 2008

Friday, 18 JulyView on today

WEATHER

Summary of observations recorded at 09:30 hrMST: During the past 24 hours, weather has been partlycloudy in Chin State and Magway Division, rain or thunder-showers have been isolated in Kayah State, lower Sagaingand Ayeyawady Divisions, scattered in Mandalay,Bago andYangon Divisions, fairly widespread in Shan State,upperSagaing Division and widespread in the remaining Statesand Divisions. The noteworthy amounts of rainfalls recordedwere Nay Pyi Taw(0.24)inch,Thaton(2.80)inches,Sittway(2.52)inches, Kyaukpyu (2.05)inches, Thandwe and Putao(2.00)inches each, Maungtaw(1.77)inches,Hpa-an(1.42)inches.

Maximum temperature on 16-7-2008 was 90˚F.Minimum temperature on 17-7-2008 was 73ºF. Relativehumidity at (09:30) hours MST on 17-7-2008 was 84%.Total sunshine hours on 16-7-2008 was (1.7) hour (approx).

Rainfall on 17-7-2008 was (0.11)inch at Mingaladon,(Nil) at Kaba-Aye and (Nil) at Central Yangon.Total rain-fall since 1-1-2008 was (51.57) inches at Mingaladon, (60.79)inches at Kaba-Aye and (74.09) inches at Central Yangon.Maximum wind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was (7) mphfrom Southwest at (17:30) hours MST on 16-7-2008.

Bay inference: Monsoon is generally moderate inthe Adaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Forecast valid until evening of 18-7-2008: Rain orthundershowers will be isolated in Chin and Kayah States,lower Sagaing and Magway Divisions, scattered in Man-dalay, Bago,Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, fairly wide-spread in Shan State,upper Sagaing Division and widespreadin the remaining States and Divisions. Degree of certainty is(80%).

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

Outlook for subsequent two days: Moderatemonsoon.

Forecast for Nay Pyi Taw and neighbouring areafor 18-7-2008: Isolated rain or thundershowers. Degree ofcertainty is (80%).

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for18-7-2008: One or two rain or thundershowers. Degree ofcertainty is (80%).

Forecast for Mandalay and neighbouring area for18-7-2008: Likelihood isolated rain or thundershowers.Degree of certainty is (60%)

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NY man gets 30 months in prison for spamming AOL

Bangladesh tocurb unskilled

workers towork abroad

DHAKA,17 July —The Bangladesh Govern-ment is contemplating agradual curb on exportingunskilled workers, as ameans to prevent labourexploitation in receivingcountries, according tolocal media Wednesday.

“The more skilled aworker is, the less he isopen to exploitation,”Abdul Matin Chowdhury,secretary to the Ministryof Expatriates’ Welfareand overseas employ-ment, was quoted byleading English news-paper The Independent assaying. — MNA/Xinhua

A man inspects flooded cars in a residential area after heavy rain fall inGiubiasco near the southern Swiss town of Bellinzona recently.

INTERNET

British lawmakers hide mental health problemsLONDON,17 July —

One in five Britishlawmakers has sufferedfrom mental healthproblems but decided tokeep quiet because offears of a hostile reaction,according to a surveypublished on Wednesday.

An anonymousquestionnaire completedby 94 members ofParliament revealed that

19 per cent had personalexperience of mentalhealth issues, while 86 percent said the job wasstressful.

“Greater openness atWestminster aboutmental health problemswould have a significantimpact in challengingstigma and discrimi-nation,” said SandraGidley, joint chairman of

the All Party ParliamentaryGroup on Mental Health.The survey, conducted bythe parliamentary group withsupport from mental healthcharities and the RoyalCollege of Psychiatrists,polled 94 House ofCommons members as wellas 100 peers from the Houseof Lords and 151parliamentary staff .

MNA/Reutres

NEW YORK,17 July —A Brooklyn man wassentenced to 30 monthsin prison on Tuesday forsending spam e-mails tomore than 1.2 millionsubscribers of AmericaOnline in a scheme thatfoiled the Internetcompany’s spam-filteringsystem.

Adam Vitale, 27, wassentenced in federal courtin Manhattan afterpleading guilty more thana year ago to breaking

anti-spam laws. He wasalso ordered to pay180,000 US dollars toAOL in restitution.

Vitale was caughtmaking a deal with agovernment informant tosend junk e-mails —known as spam — thatadvertised a computersecurity programme inreturn for 50 per cent ofthe product’s profits,prosecutors said.

“Spamming isserious criminal conduct;

this is not a teenagerengaging in child’s play,”US District Judge DennyChin told Vitale as hesentenced him. Vitaleearlier apologized and saidhe had learned a lesson.

Prosecutors said Vitalehad 22 prior convictionsand had also helped runan online prostitution ringon the website www.craigslist.com, but he hasnot been criminallycharged.

MNA/Reutres

Foreigninvestment in

B’desh’sEPZs doubles

DHAKA ,17 July —Foreign investment grewalmost hundred per centto 302 million US dollarsin Bangladesh’s eightexport processing zones(EPZs) in 2007-08 fiscal(July 2007-June 2008),leading Englishnewspaper The Daily Starreported Wednesday.

The volume offoreign investment inEPZs was 152 million USdollars in the previousfiscal, Bangladesh ExportProcessing ZonesAuthority (Bepza)officials were quoted assaying.—MNA/Xinhua

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM15

1st Waning of Waso 1370 ME Friday, 18 July, 2008

Make donations to the storm victims

� Everybody may make donations freely.� Everybody may make donations to any person or any area.

However, wellwishers are urged to avoid unsystematic donations and acts that may tarnishthe image of the nation and its people.

� Certain internal and external anti-government elements, self-centred persons andunscrupulous elements are now seeking their self-interests by sending to the foreign newsagencies stories about relief and rehabilitation work they have made up and shot on video.

� Storm victims are hereby warned to remain vigilant with nationalistic spirit against thedeceptions of the self-centred persons and unscrupulous elements.

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� Skyful liars attempting to destroy nation� BBC lying

VOA deceivingRFA setting up hostilities

� Beware! Don’t be bought by those ill-wishers

Anyone may dial the following phone numbers of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and

Resettlement if he witnesses or knows that the cash assistance and relief supplies donated from

abroad and at home to the storm victims are kept for self-interest, traded, used for particular persons

and organizations, or misappropriated for other purposes.

Head of Office Ph: 067 404021 and 067 404022

Deputy Head of Office Ph: 09 860 1002

Witness may inform about misappropriation ofinternal and international relief funds and supplies

PAGES 6+7

Volunteers of Myanmar Red Cross Society comfort a storm victim at reliefcamp in Labutta Township— (SOCIAL WELFARE)

What Buddhism is

NAWRAHTA WIN

Nay Pyi Taw and neighbouring area:Isolated rain or thundershowers. Degree of certainty is (80%).

Yangon and neighbouring area:One or two rain or thundershowers. Degree of certainty is (80%).

Mandalay and neighbouring area:Likelihood of isolated rain or thundershowers. Degree of certainty is (60%)

Weather Forecast for (18-7-2008)

INSIDE

Science employs the method of empiricalobservation. So does Buddhism. All thedoctrines and concepts in Buddhism come outof the practical exercise of meditation ofmindfulness (vipassana).

18-7-08 (FINAL) NL 7/30/18, 3:04 AM16