[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
speech of win aung
<html>
<font size=3D3>The following is the Statement by U Win Aung, Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Delegation of the Union of Myanmar in
the General Debate of the Fifty Fourth Session of the United Nations
General Assembly, New York, on 24 September 1999. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
Allow me to begin by extending to you the warmest congratulations of the
delegation of the Union of Myanmar on your unanimous election as the
President of the fifty fourth session of the United Nations General
Assembly. Heavy and onerous are indeed the duties and responsibilities
that befall upon you at this particular session. The task before the
President of the General Assembly in any year is by no means easy. It is
even more so this year, as this session has the additional task of
undertaking the preparatory work for the Millennium Session next year.
But we are fully confident that your great wealth of experience and
outstanding diplomatic skills will stand you in good stead in the
discharge of your responsibilities and that you will bring this session
to a successful conclusion. I pledge the fullest cooperation of my
delegation for the advancement of the work of this Assembly under your
able leadership. I also wish to pay our tribute to your predecessor His
Excellency Mr Opertti, for his invaluable contribution to the successful
conclusion of the previous session of the General Assembly. Our tribute
also goes to the Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, for this untiring
efforts in leading the World Organization so effectively through these
extremely challenging and difficult years. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
Myanmar consistently supports the principle of the universality of
membership of this world organization. We are, therefore, most delighted
to see in our midst three new members this year. On behalf of the
delegation of the Union of Myanmar, I should like to extend our warmest
congratulations to the delegations of the Republic of Kiribati Nauru and
the Kingdom of Tonga who have taken their rightful places in this august
Assembly. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
We live in a rapidly changing world. With the end of the Cold War, the
old era of bipolar world has been a thing of the past. The world is in
transition from the old to the new world order, which has not fully taken
shape. At this critical juncture, the world is faced with uncertainties
and unsettling situation. Sometimes the world had even fallen victim to
these turbulences and chaos. In dealing with such situations, it is our
view that any solutions sought or measures taken even with the best of
intention should be strictly in conformity with the purposes and
principles of the United Nations Charter. Furthermore, universally
recognized principles governing international relations and the principle
of respect for state sovereignty should be taken into account before
resorting to measures of extreme nature in connection with a particular
situation. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
One outstanding question relating to the reform of the United Nations is
the reform of the structure and working methods of the Security Council.
We are encouraged to see that the General Assembly has taken a
significant procedural step by adopting a resolution on the requirement
of two-thirds majority in taking decisions and resolutions on this
questions. With regard to the core issue of enlargement of the Security
Council, there are various proposals on the table regarding the possible
size of the Council. As a member state of Non-Aligned Movement, our
preference is for enlargement of the Security Council up to 26. We favour
the expansion of the membership of the Council in both categories,
permanent and non-permanent. In order to overcome the current impasse on
the question of permanent seats in the Security Council, a compromise
formula, acceptable to all parties, should be worked out through enhanced
consultations and discussions among the Member States. We are of the view
that in the event of other options having failed to command enough
supports the idea of rotating permanent seats should also be considered
as one of the options in the permanent membership category. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
In the coming year, we are going to convene a landmark assembly--the
Millennium Assembly and the Millennium Summit. It is crucially important
that the Millennium Assembly Summit should not be mere ceremonial events
but should come up with concrete ideas and results. As it is clearly
evident that the greatest challenge facing mankind well into the next
Millennium will be economic development and poverty eradication for the
vast majority of people in the world, it is our view that particular
attention should be given to these issues. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
Globalization can cut both positive and negative ways. It can bring us
new opportunities as well as additional problems. It is true that the
process of globalization can facilitate the economic development and
enhance the living standards of the people. But at the same time, it can
make smaller and less developed States vulnerable to the undesirable
negative effects of this process. One such problem, caused by the process
of globalization is transnational crimes, including illicit trafficking
in narcotic drugs, money laundering, trafficking in persons, arms
smuggling, piracy and terrorism. These crimes pose serious threats to the
peace and stability of mankind at both national and regional levels. The
nature of this problem is such that it requires national, regional and
global responses. I am pleased to inform this esteemed Assembly that in a
bid to strengthen cooperation in the regional grouping, Myanmar hosted
the Second ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in June this
year. The meeting was a success, and it constituted a significant step in
advancing regional cooperation in combating this menace in the South East
Asia region. Let me also dwell on the fight against narcotic drugs in
Myanmar. My government is greatly concerned about the drug menace, and
the fight against narcotic drugs is regarded as a national task and the
top priority. A master plan had been adopted to totally eradicate poppy
cultivation within 15 years in cooperation with ethnic leaders who signed
peace agreements with the government. In accord with the Master Plan,
many areas have been declared Opium Free Zones and farmers are now
turning to alternative crops. Law enforcement had been stepped up in the
border areas resulting in increase seizures of narcotic drugs. While we
are quite successful in the suppression of opium and heroin production,
though only scanty international assistance was received, another tide of
danger has emerged in the form of new synthetic drugs such as
Methamphetamine. The new drugs were produced around our porous borders
with percussor chemicals such as Ephedrine, unavailable locally, and
drug-making equipment illegally smuggled in from neighbouring countries.
We are redirecting our efforts to deal with the new problem with the
cooperation of the countries concerned. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr. President <br>
<br>
Allow me to take this opportunity to apprise this August Assembly briefly
of the recent developments and trends taking place in my country.My
government is against neither democracy nor human rights. As a matter of
fact, we are taking necessary steps towards the establishment of a
democratic nation.We have a vision of establishing a modern, peaceful and
development democratic state. In order to bring this vision into reality,
we are reconsolidating the national unity as number one priority.
Necessary foundation being laid for the emergence of a nation where a
disciplined and multi-party democratic system fully functions and
justice, liberty and equality prevail. <br>
<br>
We fully subscribe to the human rights norms enshrined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Here, I wish to underscore that the
government does not condone any violations of human rights, and the type
of democracy we envision will guarantee the protection and promotion of
human rights, particularly the rights to basic human needs such as
clothing , food and shelter. If there is an imperative need for
improvement in areas of human rights, we are willing and ready to receive
sensible suggestion and take whatever action we possibly could. For
instance, in the middle of this year, we received a delegation from the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and made detailed
arrangements for them to visit the prisons in Myanmar as a measure of
confidence-building and to interview the inmates in accordance with the
ICRC standard procedures. As a result of the full cooperation we extended
to the ICRC delegation, those visit is were successful and productive,
enabling both sides to build mutual trust and goodwill. I consider it
pertinent to state here that ICRC delegation expressed their satisfaction
with the overall situation regarding the relationship between the prison
authorities and the inmates. <br>
<br>
Also in August of this year, Mr, Chris Sidoti, Australian Human Rights
Commissioner, visited Myanmar and held discussions with the authorities
concerned, including myself, on the possibility of establishing a
national human rights institution in Myanmar and exchanged views on
cooperation between the two countries on human rights matters. As a
result of this visit, we were able to identify certain areas of
cooperation between the two countries. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr. President <br>
<br>
In conformity with our consistent policy of establishing friendly and
amicable relations with all the countries of the world, we accepted the
proposal for the visit of the Troika Mission of the European Union of
Myanmar in July this year. The mission was a fact-finding one in nature,
and both sides expressed their satisfaction with the result. It is our
hope that this mission will further strengthen our relations with the
European Union and pave the way for enhancing our contacts and dialogue
with the EU to a more meaningful and substantive stage in the future.
Likewise, we would also like to seek better relations with the United
States of America. Furthermore, I would like to confirm our willingness
to receive Mr de Soto, the Special Representative of United Nations
Secretary-General, to visit my country in the near future. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President, <br>
<br>
Myanmar is a multi-ethnic society where many national races with
different and diverse cultural and social backgrounds are residing
together. In addition, primarily due to the divide and rule policy under
colonial rule, the unity among the national races deteriorated and as a
result, armed insurrections broke out all over the country. For these
reasons, the present government came to the conclusion the racial harmony
was imperative and in the absence of which various issues will continue
to hamper the national development endeavours. This rationale led the
government to make peace overtures with the armed groups and establish
peace with them. <br>
<br>
In order to restore trust and confidence among the national races, the
government has even allowed the ethnic armed groups to hold on their arms
until a democratic government is formally established in accordance with
the new constitution we are drafting now. This is a reflection of our
trust in our national brethren. At the same time the government has
launched an ambitious plan for the development of border areas and
national races. Despite its meager financial resources, the government
has spent over 15 billion Kyats on the plan. At present, the national
races are actively working together with the government in their regional
development efforts. This conscious and willing involvement in the
national development tasks as equal partners has nurtured the Union
spirit and sense of togetherness. With 17 armed groups in the legal fold,
peace is holding the entire length and breadth of the country. As far as
the question of national unity is concerned this is the first ever
concrete result achieved and unprecedented in number of armed groups
involved the extent of peace established. This is a result we achieved
through sincere, genuine and open dialogue between the government and
ethnic armed groups where we first built confidence and then conviced
each other of our respective objectives. The government is open to such a
dialogue with any remaining groups, including the Karen National Union
(KNU), where we could build confidence and identify common grounds in the
sole interest of the country and its people. In this regard, I with to
reiterate that the government's offer of peace to the KNU still stands.
<br>
As a matter of fact, the same dialogue is going on in the national
convention process where representatives of national races and political
parties and delegates representing all strata of life are actively
involved in drafting a new constitution to lay solid foundation for a new
democratic political system. The national convention has been a
successful process where we had agreed on the basic principles that will
govern the future life of the country and will allow self-administered
zones for certain national groups. At this juncture, we are in the
painful and arduous process of building a consensus on power-sharing,
which is an extremely sensitive issue for all parties concerned. In view
of the delicate nature of this sensitive question, it is vitally
important for us to proceed systematically and with the greatest caution
possible to safeguard the interests of all the national races and not to
repeat the short comings of the previous two constitutions. We firmly
believe that there is no better alternative at all to the current
national convention process if we genuinely wish to transform the country
into a peaceful, modern, developed, and democratic state. It is therefore
essential for us to complete the national convention process. <br>
In this connection, it is our ardent hope that the international
community will be supportive of our sincere efforts and appreciative of
the positive achievements we have made thus far for the development of
the country. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President <br>
<br>
Myanmar is very often portrayed from outside as if vast violations of
human rights are taking place, forced labour is rampant, free flow of
narcotics exists and economic and social conditions are in chaos. These
portrayals are in contradiction to the true situation. Let me cite here a
very widely known teaching of the Lord Buddha called "Kalama
Sutta". The Sutta says; <br>
(Quote) Oh-Ye-Kalamas- <br>
-Do not be led by whatever you are told! <br>
-Do not be led by whatever has been handed down from the past
generations! <br>
-Do not be led by hearsay or common opinion! <br>
-Do not be led by whatever the scriptures say! <br>
-Do not be led by mere logic! <br>
-Do not be led by mere deduction or inference! <br>
-Do not be led by considering outward appearance! <br>
-Do not be led by the theory reflected as an approval! <br>
-Do not be led by whatever believable one says! <br>
-Do not be led by what your teacher tells you it so! (Unquote) <br>
<br>
In short, Lord Buddha taught us to accept and practice only when we
ourselves directly know <br>
which is wrong and which is right. <br>
<br>
Everyone who visits Myanmar can see the greenness of the country, peace
and tranquillity prevailing throughout the nation, people leading their
normal daily lives with happiness pleasure, and building their nation
with zest and zeal. The people have full knowledge that they are on the
right path to peace and prosperity. I would like to invite all of you to
come and see yourselves. Seeing is believing! <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President <br>
<br>
Our nation is still in the process of building, solid foundations being
laid, infrastructure being improved throughout the country. The
government and the people fully understand where we were, where we are
now and in which direction we are moving. We think of ourselves as
builders, carpenters and plumbers building a house not to enjoy ourselves
but for the entire people who are rightful owners. When the building is
finished, furnished, and fine touched, it will be handed over to them.
The people will decide who shall manage the house. There are some Myanmar
youths that abandoned our land and took refuge elsewhere. By taking this
opportunity, I would like to send them a message from this podium that
they are welcome with our open arms if they return home and I would like
to invite them to join us in building the nation. Our future lies with
us. If we work together, we will reach our goal sooner than later. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President <br>
<br>
Religious harmony and freedom is our shared tradition. Our previous two
constitutions provided for safe guards against religious discrimination
and religious intolerance. Similarly, the fundamental principles we have
agreed on in the national convention process guarantee religious
non-discrimination and religious tolerance. Although Myanmar is a
predominantly Buddhist country with nearly 90 percent of the population
professing Buddhism, the government attaches great importance to
harmonious relations among the major religions existing in the country.
Accordingly, the government has taken all necessary steps to encourage
the prevailing harmony among the religions through continuous contacts
with the respective religious leadership and provision of necessary
assistance in both financial and material terms to enable them to promote
their faiths effectively. I want to state that there is freedom of
religion for all faiths in the country. It is also worth recalling here
that a few years ago, Madam Ogata, the High Commissioner for Refugees
remarked in her capacity as the Independent Expert of the Commission on
Human Rights, to the effect that Myanmar was a model society as far as
religious tolerance was concerned. Though made sometime in the past, I
wish to stress that these remarks remain valid and true at this point in
time as well, and the government is determined to safeguard to the best
of its ability all the religions of the country against intolerance, and
help them in all possible ways to co-exist harmoniously with each other.
<br>
<br>
Mr President <br>
<br>
It will not be complete without mentioning what any country is achieving
on economic front. Despite slowdown in economic growth due to Asian
financial crisis. Myanmar has enjoyed considerable economic growth in
recent years. The emphasis of the government is to promote private sector
development and privatization. At the same time, the government is
focusing its endeavours on infrastructure development as a precondition
for sustained development. Moreover, the government is carrying out an
extensive programme of land reclamation in wet and virgin lands by
granting large land holding to the private companies. The private sector
has been able to reclaim and developed 1.1 million acres of fallow and
wet lands for agricultural productions, which will not only help domestic
food supply but also will contribute to regional food security. <br>
<br>
<br>
Mr President <br>
<br>
We have a vision for the new millennium, where we could build a society
peaceful, modern, developed and democratic. In order to realize our
vision, we will endeavour with whatever resources we have at our
disposal. The realization of this goal could be accelerated if we receive
the support of the international community. We are optimistic that we
will be able to achieve our vision and that the international community
will demonstrate understanding and appreciation of our sincere efforts to
uplift the economic and social well-being of the people of Myanmar.=20
<br>
<br>
I thank you, Mr President. <br>
</font></html>