His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, is awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, MGIMO of the University of Russia.  The conferment ceremony was held Wednesday at the University.
 

His Majesty was received on arrival by Mr. Viktor Antonovich Sadovnichy, Rector of the MGIMO.  Prior to the conferment ceremony, His Majesty was given a short briefing on the university by the Rector.  The conferment ceremony started with a brief announcement by the Rector on the award.  In the announcement, the Rector praised His Majesty for setting an

excellent leadership example by talking directly to his subjects and in preferring to get the information about their situation directly from them.
 

The Rector also said that His Majesty has gained high respect across the world for his aspiration towards intercultural, interfaith dialogue and cooperation, and in His Majesty’s support for universal values of the world and welfare.  The title, Honorary Doctor of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, was awarded to those leaders, political and public figures who have contributed to the development of international cooperation, and strengthening of peace and security.

Following the acceptance of the Honorary Doctorate, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam addressed members of the university in a speech that expressed appreciation for the kind invitation accorded to him to undertake an official visit to Russia by President Putin.  His Majesty also expressed appreciation for

the Honorary Doctorate bestowed on him.  The Monarch praised the works and achievement of the university which is widely acknowledged at the international level and proclaimed the Russian people’s commitment to playing a leading role in the new international world.
 

His Majesty stated that Brunei Darussalam took great pride in its long history and achievements which instilled the value of respect for others, whatever their background or belief.  Brunei Darussalam is thus committed to the international principles of dialogue and negotiation which encouraged its people to exercise tolerance, understanding and goodwill.
 

After the conferment ceremony, His Majesty visited the Special Weapons Firing Range Institute at Klimosk Town.  There, His Majesty was welcome by Mr. Vladimir Ivanov, Director General of the institute. His Majesty was given a briefing on the institute and later watched firing demonstrations and viewed the display of fire arms and communications

equipments.  His Majesty also tried some of the weapons demonstrated at the institute.

In the afternoon, His Majesty attended a luncheon hosted by the Director General of the Special Weapons Firing Range Institute.  The Monarch later proceeded to the Zhukovsky Airfield and was received by Mr. Pogosyan Michael Hslanovich, Director General of the Sukhoi Company.
 

During the visit, His Majesty was given a briefing on the airfield and later watched an aerobatic show and viewed a display of Russian made aircrafts.  Before leaving the airfield, His Majesty signed the guest book.  In the evening, His Majesty attended a Russian Ballet performance at the famous Bolshoi Theatre.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the President of Russia, His Excellency Vladimir Putin have discussed a number of issues of common interest.  The two leaders touched on the matters during a four-eye meeting at the Kremlin, the seat of power of the Russian Government in Moscow.
 

His Majesty and His Excellency Vladimir Putin exchanged views on a broad range of bilateral as well as regional and international affairs.  The four-eye meeting was held on the second day of His Majesty’s visit to Russia.
 

Brunei Darussalam and Russia have elaborated on a number of areas where the two nations could strengthen bilateral relations.  These were raised during the bilateral plenary meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow.  His Majesty and President Putin headed their respective delegations at the meeting where they both outlined their views on ways to strengthen and cement relations between the two nations.
 

Diplomatic relations between Bandar Seri Begawan and Moscow were established nearly fourteen years ago.  President Putin in expressing his views of Brunei Darussalam said Russia regards Brunei as its important and reliable partner in the South East and Asia as a whole.  In turn, His Majesty in his titah expressed his happiness over the friendship shared by Brunei which is a small country and Russia, an enormous one.  At the end of the meeting, His Majesty extended an invitation with gratitude on a date to be agreed by both sides.
 

Later at a media conference, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, in his titah, said one of the purposes of his official visit is to reaffirm the important role Russia plays in regional affairs.  This covers the whole spectrum of modern international cooperation.  His Majesty expressed this view during the media conference held at the end of the bilateral meeting between Brunei Darussalam and Russia.
 

President Putin earlier outlined a number of areas where the two sides could further strengthen their relations.  These include investment, cooperation in military and energy. President Putin also mentioned steps that may further facilitate in the enhancement of the relationship.  Amongst them is the waiving of visa requirements for certain passport holders.  He also expressed his pleasure at being involved in regional forums that include ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Conference where Russia is an observer.
 

His Majesty began his titah at the media conference by saying that Brunei has had a great respect for President Putin ever since he was in Brunei Darussalam for the APEC Summit five years ago.  His Majesty also gave his assurance that there should be no fear that this future is under threat, either internally or externally.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Deputy Sultan, last night hosted a dinner for the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, His Excellency Nobutaka Machimura at the Balai Penghadapan Bukit Kayangan.
 

Prior to the dinner, His Royal Highness and His Excellency discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on a number of current regional and international affairs.  Also present at the dinner was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Brunei’s Ambassador-At-Large.  His Excellency is in the country on a two-day visit.

The Executive Committee of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam 59th Birthday Anniversary’s main role is to attract the participation of government and private sectors, including the rakyat and residents at the respective district in programmes to celebrate the royal birthday anniversary.
 

The Minister of Home Affairs emphasised this during a meeting with the Executive Administrative Committee for the Brunei Muara District, Wednesday.  Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Adnan said the participation of a large number of people in the celebrative events especially during the get-together ceremony between His Majesty and the rakyat in the Brunei Muara District, demonstrate the rakyat and residents’ spirit of unity, support and cooperation in all the activities that have been arranged.
 

The Minister added the meeting was to discuss ideas on the preparation works and their latest development.  A total of twenty-six events are being lined up by the Brunei Muara Executive Administrative Committee for this year’s celebration.  The meeting took place at the Brunei Muara District Office.

Teachers and educators are urged to spare their time to do suitable researches for the betterment of the education system.  The Deputy Minister of Education suggested that the research should involve “planning of action” toward encouraging schools to be more active.
 

Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman said the Special Education Unit and other departments under the Ministry of Education are willing to help provide suitable training modules.  He made the call at the closing of the Second International Seminar on Special Education, Wednesday.  Touching on the

outcome of the seminar, the Deputy Minister believed that the participants have sharpened their skills in order to better understand new strategies.
 

He later presented certificates of appreciation to invited speakers who have shared their knowledge and skills.  More than 400 people comprising educators, experts, researchers and practitioners attended the three-day conference.  Recommendations reached at the end of the conference will be compiled into a book as a source of reference and

guidelines for the Inclusive Education and Special Education systems.

A two-day closed door meeting between the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Attorney General’s Chambers began Wednesday aiming to upgrade knowledge on investigation procedures and prosecution as well as identify and overcome weaknesses.  The dialogue was also to create understanding in all aspects of legislation, its practical

application and to update new laws.
 

The meeting also focused on supervision matters related to investigation and prosecution of crime and traffic cases.  It was held at the Officers’ Mess of the Police Headquarters in Gadong.

The Islamic Bank of Brunei Berhad, IBB, donated three thousand dollars to the Committee of the Temburong District’s Mosques In-Charge of Islamic Calendar Events for the Year 2006. The donation will help ease the burden of Temburong’s mosques and suraus in conducting religious events next year. IBB also donated five hundred books of Surah Yassin to ten mosques and suraus in the district.
 

The Managing Director of the bank, Awang Haji Mohamad Roslan bin Haji Mohamad Daud made the presentation to Temburong’s Head Islamic Religious Officer, Awang Haji Embran bin Haji Sabtu who later presented them to the district’s mosque and surau representatives. The ceremony was held Wednesday at IBB in the capital.

A grade two tradesman of the Public Works Department in Kuala Belait has been charged before the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court for offences connected to the Prevention of the Corruption Act and under Section 165 of the Penal Code. Benjimin bin Haji Arip was said to have obtained a gratification of two carlton 2000 rackets valued at 180 dollars from one Project Manager of a construction company as a reward for checking and verifying the progress claim of the contractor in respect to a house which was built under the housing project undertaken by the company. He pleaded guilty to the charge and is to be punished under Section 6 of the Prevention of the Corruption Act.
 

Benjimin was also said to have made attempts to get two holiday trips to Kuala Lumpur for himself and his family from one project manager of a construction company as well as receiving 4 to 500 dollars as payment for car repairs from an architect cum manager of a construction company. He did not plead guilty for these charges. These offences are punishable under Section 165 of the Penal Code. The court released him on bail of ten thousand dollars with two local sureties. The court also fixed 22nd August this year for his trial.

Several sport events were held Wednesday on the second day of the Federation of British International Schools in South and East Asia or FOBISSEA Primary Games 2005 Group ‘B’. One sport events was the five a-side football tournament. The tournament was divided into three different age groups comprised of year 4 to year 6 pupils. It was played in a league format with a size of 30 metres by 20 metres football pitch.
 

Eight teams out of six international schools from Korea, Tokyo, Taipei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei took part in the half day tournament. The tournament took place at the Track and Field of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex. The FOBISSEA Primary Games is an annual event, hosted by the International School Brunei attracting up to 280 students competing in swimming, football, t-ball and athletics.