The voice of consolidated ASEAN

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Article from The New Light of Myanmar ( 21-121-98 and 22-12-98 )
Author by Tekkatho Tin Kha

The voice of consolidated ASEAN

	I am one of Myanmars working in Tokyo, Japan. I arrived back Yangon at the
end of November after I had saved money for my family. I returned to the
motherland because I missed my family and my country since I was away from
them for a long time.

	In Japan, Japanese work hard. I was determined to work hard, spend less and
save more. There are various kinds of Myanmars in Japan. Some worked hard and
saved money. Some worked superficially for pleasure and spent what they had
earned. Some did not have any fixed occupation without serious purpose. Most
of Myanrnar people are not interested in politics and they did not want
politics especially politics that went against own country.

	Burmese Association in Japan was once full of those who opposed Myanmu
government. Expatriate NLD Win Khet group was the strongest opposing group
under the supervision of expatriate Sein Win, Kyomon U Thaung (a) Aung Bala.
We recognized it as terrorist group. Although Win Khet group tried to win over
us, most of the Myanmar did not accept Win Khet's NLD (Tokyo) in exile (a)
expatriate group. We kept ourselves aloof from it.

	News about the return to Yangon of Dr Mya Mya Win, Dr Win Naing and Poet
Maung Pan Hmwe, leaders of former BAIJ now MAIJ (a) Myanmar Association in
Japan, their press conference in Yangon and their declaration for the good of
the nation and Myanmar people after Dr Mya Mya Win had witnessed practical
development and restoration of stability, peace and tranquillity made
repercussion in Myanrnar circle in Tokyo. A few people criticized the move and
most of the people welcomed and supported it. I felt happy that there are many
Myamnars including myself who loved their own nation and people.

	We were happy and active when Dr Mya Mya Win and Dr Win Naing returned to
Tokyo. A meeting with the theme, a Burma Towards Transition" was held in
Regent College in London, England on 15 October. Indeed, it was anti Myanmar
meeting of those who had ill will towards Myanmar. It was attended by Myanmar
expatriates and western organizations that wanted to interfere in Myanmar's
internal affairs. We learned that Dr Mya Mya Win and Dr Win Naing reported on
their experience in Myanmar's developments of today.

	At the meeting destructive elements demanded imposition more sanctions on
Myanmar and to put more pressure on Myanmar government. Dr Win Naing reported
at the meeting that pressure should be put on NLD to be more flexible instead
of putting pressure on Myanmar government. Some expatriates in London
expressed their dissatisfaction with him. Most of Myanmars in Japan supported
his attitude whole-heartedly.

	At a time when NLD expatriate group taking a foothold in Japan was attempting
to undermine Myanmar, Dr Mya Mya Win and Dr Win Naing served the interest of
the nation and the people by requesting the Japanese government leaders and
political leaders to provide social assistance to Myanmar. Before returning to
Myanmar, I studied Dr Mya Mya Win and Dr Win Naing closely. More and more
Japanese come to understand Myanmar and I noticed their tendency to provide
assistance for Myanmar improved.


	BBC put questions to Dr Win Naing on the mornings of 16 and 17 October. He
replied all questions. BBC seemed not to be pleased with many of his replies.
My friends and I discussed that matter. A friend who had just arrived from
Yangon said that BBC, VOA and RFA radio stations did not look like news
agencies but they looked like anti-Myanmar political cells. He recounted that
they were praising daily highly of NLD that the west wished for. They usually
broadcast one sided talk in VOA Editorial reflecting the view of the US
administration. After the editorial, listeners can send their same or
different views to the station and the views are probably to be broadcast. But
they never broadcast the different views. While he was in Yangon, he often
listened to VOA and BBC and later he never listened to them because of their
dishonest broadcasting. In his opinion, he said he did not think that the
interview with Dr Win Naing would be broadcast. Because
Dr Win Naing's replies would not turn out to be profits but losses for BBC.

	While I was in Tokyo the interview with Dr Win Naing was not broadcast. After
I arrived back in Yangon I listened to BBC. It was not broadcast till the end
of first week of December. An evening VOA Myanmar programme on 29 November, a
programme of letters from


Myanmar was broadcast. I became angry after listening to reply to the letter
of Ko Ba Kyaw of Dagwin Village (I'm not sure if it was Darkwin Village or
Tagwin Village). In his letter he said VOA broadcast the good of Suu Kyi and
Nga Mya. Why did VOA not broadcast the mass meetings to exprcss People'
Sentiments in the whole country?, he asked.

	In its letters programme VOA used to broadcast the good of Suu Kyi and NLD
and letters slandering Myanmar government. I thought that it was very kind of
VOA for broadcasting Ko Ba Kyaw's letter. When I heard angry reply of
announcer U Aung Hla I realized that VOA wanted to fight back Ko Ba Kyaw.
	The announcer replied to the letter rudely. Ko Ba Kyaw of Dagwin Village,
when I read the letter, I realized how low your farnily and relatives were."
Such broadcasting stations are not media that gave true information. That was
why my friend said it was just a destructive political cell.
	I learnt from Press ethics that news is to be reported free from bias.
Correct news is to be disseminated to newspaper readers and TV viewers and
radio listeners fairly and not partially. There shall not be double standards
in reporting news. News is to be reported in- time. Do not cover up the news,
nor describe false report, after taking bribes. And do not report news to suit
one's wishes for some consideration. That media did not follow the Press
ethics.

	One of my uncles said Myanmar people did not trust western broadcasting
stations such as BBC and VOA and other publications. So NLD listened to such
broadcasts and relayed them. If the broadcasting stations broadcast good and
true news of Myanmar such as inauguration of dams and reservoirs and
construction of bridges, people will believe in them to an extent. The people
probably will believe them if they sometimes broadcast something good about
Myanmar. But now it is only a destructive mouth. My uncle said the media
persons who got back there on their return from Myanmar were not welcome if
they had sent back good and correct news about Myanmar. Even action was said
to have been taken against them.

	BBC has not broadcast the interview with Dr Win Naing recorded on 16 and 17
October for two months. It shows its true nature. Let me try to relate BBC's
interview with Dr Win Naing I had noted down when I was in Tokyo.
	The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has ushered in its 32nd
year. The main aim of the ASEAN right from its founding in 1967 was to work
together among the nations in the region for peace, stability and development.
This principal objective has never diminished but got stronger during its life
time.
	One of the main aims of the founding leaders of the ASEAN was to organize all
the ten nations in South-East Asia area in the association. At present, the
ASEAN has organized nine nations to become its members. The nine Has  full-
Sedge member are: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia, an observer at present, will
become a full member in the near future. The lofty aim of the ASEAN leaders
will then be achieved.

	In 32 years, ASEAN membership increased, cooperation has increased and unity
has got further consolidated and the association has just held the 6th ASEAN
Summit. The theme of the Summit was,
	Unity and Cooperation for an ASEAN of Peace, Stability and Equitable
Development".

	The opening ceremony of the 6th ASEAN Summit was held at the Ba Dinh Hall in
Hanoi, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at 9.30 am on 15 December 1998.

	The opening ceremony was preceded by the ASEAN song
welcoming the 6th ASEAN Summit sung by youths.

	The 6th ASEAN Summit was chaired by Prime Minister of SRV Mr Phan Van Khai
andco-chaired by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei
Darussalam.

	Chairman of the Summit Mr Phan Van Khai first delivered a speech of welcome
after which Co-chairman His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah delivered an
opening address. In connection with further consolidating unity and conducting
closer coordination, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah said he believed
challenges confronted by the ASEAN regions would lead all the ASEAN members to
further strengthen unity and that he looked forward to closer coordination and
fruitful discussions with fellow ASEAN leaders.

	In his opening address, President of Republic of Indonesia Mr B J Habibie
dealt

with peace in the ASEAN. He said ASEAN at present was different from that 31
years ago. At that time, he said, efforts were made for the association's
existence in the absence of political stability in the region. At present, he
said, peace prevails not only in South-East Asia region but also in the vast
Asia-Pacific region.
He noted peace was an opportunity for Asian nations to concert rate on
economic progress.
	In connection with further consolidating ASEAN unity, Prime Minister of the
Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Sisavath Keobounphanh said the present
ASEAN Summit was the last to be organized in the 20th century and the first to
lay down the ASEAN Plan of Action for the 21st Century. He said he believed
successes achieved during the past 31 years and those of the present Summit
would further consolidate
'date the ASEAN unity and bring about rapid economic growth, and as a result,
he said, the association could make sustained efforts to promote the social
values.

	Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Dr Mahatkir bin Mohamad then touched
upon cooperation with ASEAN's dialogue partners.

	He said ASEAN nations would enhance cooperation

with the ASEAN dialogue partners. He made it clear that all preventive
measures would be taken against outside interference in the internal affairs
of ASEAN nations. He said he would continue to give support to the growth of
economies in the ASEAN region and expedite work for the establishment of the
ASEAN Free
Trade Area (AFTA).

	In his opening statement, Chairman- of the State Peace and Development
Council Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe
underscored the achievements made due to the spirit of unity. The Senior
General said in the last 31 years of existence, ASEAN has successfully
achieved substantial integration in the spirit of unity in diversity and
through commitment to the concept of one Southeast Asia.

	Next, President of the Republic of the Philippines Mr J Ejercito Estrada
discussed cementing friendship among the member nations of the ASEAN. He said
ASEAN member nations should have mutual trust and be frank. Then only would
they be able to freely contact one another, solve common problems and concerns
and then cement friendly relations, he added.

	Concerning consolidation of ASEAN solidarity, Prime Minister of Republic of
Singapore Mr. Goh Chok Tong said ASEAN member nations could help one another
with the use of their limited strengths and
resources. Such help would consolidate ASEAN solidarity he added.

	Prime Minister of Thailand and Mr Chuan Leekpai made an assessment of the
success of ASEAN. He said no one could deny the fact that in spite of economic
difficulties the ASEAN was the most successful regional grouping.

	Finally, Chairman of the Summit Prime Minister of SRV Mr Phan Van Khai
delivered an address.

	He highlighted friendly cooperation and regional integration. He said
Southeast
Asian nations are independent nations and are in existence peacefully. In the
past there existed hostilities, hatred and confrontations, he said, adding
these were gradually replaced by friendly cooperation and regional
integration.

	The consolidated nine members of the ASEAN with one voice has now emerged.
The statements and speeches above are historic ones emphasizing Unity and
Cooperation for an ASEAN of Peace, Stability and Equitable Development.

(Translation: MMA)