[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1



Subject: News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1 , No.46 )

News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1 , No.46 )
********************************************************
Contents

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
        Course in Diplomacy concluded 
        Thai Foreign Minister pays friendly visit

FOREIGN RELATIONS
        Thai Foreign Minister pays friendly visit
        Myanmar agricultural delegation attended FAO Conference

GENERAL NEWS
        Members of KNPP exchange arms for peace
        Diplomats and media persons study Wa Region


**********************
INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

Course in Diplomacy concluded 

    The Course in Diplomacy No.1 organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
of the Union of Myanmar concluded on 18 November. Addressing the closing 
ceremony, Chairman of Myanmar Foreign Policy Committee Secretary-1 of the 
State Peace and Development Council Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt called for foreign 
service personnel to be extra diligent, to keep abreast with the latest 
trends in the world and to continually improve their diplomatic skills. 
Following are the salient points of his speech: -

-   It is a historic day for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as it marks the 
closing ceremony for the first ever Course in Diplomacy held in its 52 years 
of existence. During the three and a half month course, topics presented were 
indeed extensive, ranging from matters relating to Myanmar's policies and 
activities to international affairs, diplomatic practices and topical 
subjects including gender-related issues.  

-   Traditionally, the basis for international relations was state-to-state 
relations based on equality between independent and sovereign nations. 
Regrettably, as the present century draws to a close, it can be seen that 
some powerful western nations are attacking this very foundation of 
international relations in their efforts to shape the world according to 
their mold. 

-   Without paying any regard to the historical background, cultural 
heritage, traditions or objective conditions of other nations, these western 
nations are  endeavouring to change the very meaning of the concepts of 
independence and sovereignty for their own ends.

-   The world is full of examples where attempts by western nations to 
arbitrarily introduce their political, economic and social systems to 
developing nations have resulted in their political disintegration, economic 
upheavals, cultural subversions and social disruptions. 
 
-   Another feature of today's international relations is using the facade of 
democracy and human rights to interfere in the matters that are essentially 
within the domestic jurisdiction of other states. 
-   As most nations of the world desire a democratic system, Myanmar would 
also like to see a democratic system flourish in the country. However, given 
the differences in the conditions and circumstances, the democratic systems 
practised in the developing countries may not necessarily be the same as 
those of the western nations.

-   Although the Tatmadaw had to assume responsibilities in 1988 to prevent 
the nation from disintegration due to conditions of chaos and anarchy, the 
Tatmadaw Government considers itself as a transitional administration that is 
laying the foundation for the emergence of a multi-party democratic system 
from the previous socialist one. The Tatmadaw has no desire whatever to hold 
power for a long time. Once the constitution has emerged, there must be a 
transfer of power to the constitutional government which will lead the nation 
in the future.

-   In trying to establish a democratic state, the Government on the one hand 
is educating the people in democratic ways. Simultaneously, it is building 
the necessary requisites for a democratic society by establishing conditions 
of peace, stability, national solidarity, higher standards of living and a 
sound economic foundation. 

-   Due to the challenges the country faces, it is only natural that a 
certain amount of time will be needed for democracy to bloom in Myanmar. If  
democracy were to be established in a hasty manner as the western countries 
desire, Myanmar would surely have to face undesirable consequences and 
possibly even leading to disintegration of the nation. The peace prevailing 
in the country after more than four decades of bitter experience of civil 
strife can definitely be endangered by such hasty and ill-considered actions. 

-   It is necessary for the nations who are holding negative attitudes to 
view objectively and without prejudice and bias the actual situation and 
conditions in the country; to give priority to the entire population of over 
48 million rather than putting emphasis on one individual or one 
organization. 

-   In parallel with the democratic concepts, the principles of human rights 
are also being pushed into the center stage of politics. As we speak of 
universality of human rights, the diversity in historical, cultural and 
religious backgrounds must not be minimized or forgotten. To disregard the 
principle of sovereignty, which is recognized by international law, and to 
practice policies that are detrimental to sovereignty under the pretext of 
human rights will pose a great menace to the world.

-   We in Myanmar have the highest regard for human rights. As such, the 
constitution that is being drafted is based on universal values of liberty, 
justice and equality. 

-   On the so-called forced labour practices, the Ministry of Home Affairs 
issued in May of this year a notification suspending the application of 
certain provisions of the law relating to voluntary labour contribution 
except for national emergencies. Moreover, discussions have been held with 
Australia since the middle of this year, and Mr. Sedoti, Commissioner from 
Australian Human Rights Commission was able to have very fruitful and 
meaningful discussions with various authorities during his visit to Myanmar. 
It is  hoped that this co-operation with Australia will  continue in the 
future as well. 

-   During the current year, the internationally respected International 
Committee for Red Cross was permitted to freely inspect various prisons and 
places of detention in Myanmar and to interview the prisoners in accordance 
with their established procedures. 

-   Recently, there were incidents of violence at our Embassies in Canberra 
and London but the worst was at our Embassy in Bangkok which was seized by 
armed terrorists on 1st and 2nd  October. There should not be any doubt that 
what happened at the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok was an act of pure terrorism. 

-   Despite all these incidents, Myanmar continues to faithfully adhere to 
its policy of striving to maintain friendly ties with all nations of the 
world in accordance with its independent and active foreign policy. 

-   All these matters demonstrate how complex and delicate international 
relations have become today. It becomes incumbent upon foreign service 
personnel to keep abreast with the latest trends in the world. Only through 
hard work, will Myanmar be able to stand proudly with the rest of the world 
in international relations. 

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Thai Foreign Minister pays friendly visit

    At the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, a 
goodwill delegation led by the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Dr 
Surin Pitsuwan  paid a one-day friendly visit to Myanmar on 23 November. The 
Thai delegation led by the Thai Foreign Minister held cordial discussions on 
matters of mutual interest with the Myanmar delegation led by Minister U Win 
Aung at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, Minister U Win Aung hosted a 
luncheon for the Thai Foreign Minister at the Karaweik Palace Hotel.

    During their visit, the Thai Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on 
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt at 
the Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence.

Myanmar agricultural delegation attended FAO Conference

    The 30th Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization was held at 
its headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 12 to 23 November 1999, and agriculture 
ministers from 186 FAO member nations including Myanmar attended the 
conference.

    On 17 November, the leader of the Myanmar delegation Minister for 
Agriculture and Irrigation Maj.-Gen. Nyunt Tin delivered a speech on 
agricultural and food conditions in Myanmar. His speech covered efforts for 
the development of agriculture as a base and all-round development in 
Myanmar, cultivation and good harvests of rice, pulses, beans and crops, 
implementation of 102 dam projects with the use of internal investment and 
technological know-how, a decrease in extending international monetary 
assistance for production of food throughout the world and using that kind of 
assistance as a weapon, importance of efforts for elimination of hunger and 
international monetary assistance.

    During the conference, Minister Maj.-Gen. Nyunt Tin met with the 
Director-General of FAO Dr Jack Du, and discussed matters related to 
technical cooperation programmes. Dr Jack Du also spoke of technical exchange 
and cooperation for the development of the agriculture sector and 
construction of dams.   


GENERAL NEWS

Members of KNPP exchange arms for peace

    The Government is striving for national reconsolidation  and is 
implementing  for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation. 
After realizing the genuine goodwill and endeavours of the government, 
remnant armed groups are abandoning destructive acts and continually 
exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups.

    Recently, a 16 member armed group led by Secretary U Saw Bae Bay of No 4 
Township of Gekaw Region of Kayinni National Progressive Party, together with 
10 assorted guns, 10 magazines and 115 rounds of ammunition, exchanged arms 
for peace at the military column in Hoya Region of the Regional Control 
Command (Loikaw) area. A ceremony to exchange arms for peace of Secretary U 
Saw Bae Bay and members of No. 4 Township of Gekaw Region of KNPP was held at 
the town Hall in Loikaw on 21 November. The Commander extending a hearty 
welcome to the group, urged them to participate in the regional development 
tasks. 

Diplomats and media persons study Wa Region

    A 35 member study group comprising diplomats, officials of UN Agencies 
and media persons led by the Director-General of the Department for 
Development of Border Areas and National Races Col. Wunna Maung Lwin and the 
Director of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Office 
(International Relations) Police Col. Khan Aung visited Kengtung on 19 
November to study the Wa Region Alternative Development Programme in Shan 
State (East) being jointly implemented by CCDAC and UNDP. At the Office of 
the Wa Region Alternative Development Programme, Planning Adviser Mr. John 
Deltom explained progress of work and the work to be done. Later, leaders of 
villages and officials of the programme reported on arrangements for the 
development of villages. Then, members of delegation inspected health, 
education, water supply for the villages, cultivation of annual and perennial 
crops, tea and buck-wheat in the region.

- - - - - - - - - -