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News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1
- Subject: News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1
- From: OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 02:05:00
Subject: News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1 , No.46 )
News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1 , No.46 )
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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
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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.
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