Myanmar, 1993

I wish at the outset to extend

to you, Sir, my congratulations on your election as President

of the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session. Your

election reflects the Assembly’s full confidence in you. My

delegation feels sure that we can count on your wide

experience and personal skills to guide our deliberations to

a fruitful conclusion. Allow me also to take this opportunity

to express my delegation’s appreciation to your predecessor,

Mr. Stoyan Ganev of Bulgaria, for his tireless efforts to

ensure the success of the forty-seventh session.

I am pleased to see among us delegations from the six

new Member States which joined the Organization this year.

Their presence in this Hall reflects the momentous changes

taking place in the world today and the growing confidence

in the United Nations itself. My delegation feels that these

new Members, each with its own distinctive historical,

cultural and political backgrounds, will have important

contributions to make to the Organization. My delegation

welcomes them all and looks forward to working with them.

It is an outstanding feature of our times that the

number of sovereign States has increased and that the role

of the Organization has grown enormously. There is today

a remarkable growth in the demand for the services of the

United Nations. As noted by the Secretary-General, the

Organization has in the past four years become involved in

as many peace-keeping operations as it had in the previous

four decades. The United Nations is increasingly called

upon to pour oil on troubled waters. Its peace-keeping

missions are being carried out across the globe, from

Somalia to Cambodia, and its agencies for development and

humanitarian affairs have fanned out even further afield. As

the United Nations assumes a more central role in the area

of international security, it is essential that the Organization,

in pursuit of the purposes stated in Article 1, act and be seen

to act in accordance with the principles of the Charter.

Myanmar would like to believe that in the post-cold-war era,

States will adhere strictly to the Charter’s principles and

make concerted efforts to establish a workable system of

collective security. Just as the prohibition of the threat or

use of force against the territorial integrity or political

independence of any State is fundamental in inter-State

relations, the Charter unambiguously prohibits, in the

well-known paragraph 7 of Article 2, any intervention of the

United Nations itself "in matters which are essentially within

the domestic jurisdiction of any State". This prohibition

applies equally to States and to other international

organizations. In this time of major political and economic

changes in a volatile world, extraordinary care should be

taken to uphold such basic principles as respect for the

territorial integrity or political independence of States.

Myanmar fully supports the Security Council’s

recommendation of 28 May 1993, which states that the

Council considers that United Nations peace-keeping

operations should be conducted in accordance with

operational principles consistent with the provisions of the

Charter of the United Nations. Those operational principles

include a clear political goal with a precise mandate subject

to periodic review and to change in its character or duration

only by the Council itself; the consent of the Government

and, where appropriate the parties concerned, save in

exceptional cases; support for a political process or for the

peaceful settlement of the dispute; and impartiality in

implementing Security Council decisions.

The experience in Somalia underscores the need to

adhere to those principles in all peace-keeping and

peacemaking operations. In particular, it underscores the

need to exercise great prudence in sanctioning the use of

force in such operations and in its application on the ground.

It has also shown that peace-keeping operations cannot

succeed without the willing cooperation of all the parties

concerned.

The conscience of the world has been troubled by the

horror of the ongoing conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

While it is true that the United Nations has taken some

action in response to the crisis and that negotiations have

been initiated in Geneva, much more needs to be done to

stop the fighting and find a peaceful solution. The situation

is complex but it must be realized that innocent men, women

and children in the besieged towns and villages expect more

of an international Organization whose principal purpose is

the maintenance of international peace and security. Unless

appropriate actions are taken, the United Nations runs the

risk of being seen as protecting only certain countries or

interests.

My delegation is pleased to note that in Cambodia, the

United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia has

successfully discharged its main responsibility of

supervising, monitoring and verifying the cease-fire and of

organizing and conducting free and fair elections as

scheduled, despite the decision of one of the Cambodian

parties to stay away from the elections. The United Nations

efforts to foster a democratic process and to bring back

peace and stability to a country ravaged by two decades of

civil strife and war is an outstanding achievement. We

should like to take this opportunity to pay a warm and

special tribute to Mr. Yasushi Akashi, the Special

6 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Representative of the Secretary-General, who handled a very

delicate situation with great prudence and tact. This

achievement has made it possible for the people of

Cambodia to promulgate a new Constitution restoring the

monarchy and to form a broadly based Government. The

accession to the throne of Cambodia by His Majesty King

Norodom Sihanouk, a great patriot and statesman, is a

historic event which augurs well for the rebuilding of a

peaceful, unified and democratic Cambodia. As close

neighbours, we look forward to peace and stability in

Cambodia and to working closely with the Government and

the people of Cambodia.

The effort to end apartheid in South Africa, sustained

over decades, has produced positive results. The

announcement of an election date, 27 April 1994, for the

first general elections in South Africa’s history based on

universal franchise is a significant achievement. The

elections will provide the black majority the opportunity to

shape its own destiny by participating in a process which it

had hitherto been denied. It is our hope that this will ensure

that the objective of the people of South Africa for a

democratic, non-racial and united South Africa will be

achieved. Much, however, remains to be done to maintain

the election timetable, and the next six months will be

critical in ending apartheid. We note that four pieces of

legislation - the Independent Electoral Commission, the

Independent Media Commission, the Independent

Broadcasting Authority and the Transitional Executive

Council - have been adopted by both the Negotiating

Council and the South African Parliament. We hope that

these bodies will be established as soon as possible to guide

the country through the constitutional process.

I am happy to note that the winds of change blowing

across our world have not left the Middle East untouched.

The historic agreement between Israel and the Palestine

Liberation Organization on mutual recognition has

effectively removed a major obstacle to peace in that region.

We welcome this positive step and the signing of the

Declaration of Principles, which envisions self-rule by

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in Jericho. We are also

pleased to note that Israel and Jordan have signed the agreed

common agenda of the peace negotiations between them.

We congratulate all parties concerned for displaying rare

courage and mutual accommodation in reaching the accords.

These important steps, we hope, will open the way to

reconciliation between neighbours and to the achievement of

a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East

based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338

(1973).

The new climate of cooperation between the United

States of America and the Russian Federation opens up at

least the prospect of real progress in disarmament. This is

amply demonstrated by the signing of the chemical weapons

Convention in Paris earlier this year by an unprecedented

number of countries. Myanmar was part of the Geneva

Conference process leading to that comprehensive

instrument, and continues to take an active part in the

Preparatory Commission for the Organization for the

Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The increased attention we have been devoting to

chemical weapons should not distract us from nuclear

disarmament issues, notably from the need to strengthen the

international non-proliferation regime and to ban all nuclear

testing. The enormous quantities of nuclear material that

exist in the world today and the increasing difficulty of

detecting the clandestine development of nuclear weapons

underscore the need to redouble efforts to strengthen

safeguards against proliferation. Myanmar will work with

other delegations for the success of the 1995 Non-

Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review and extension Conference.

With the end of the Cold War, the case for reducing the

number of large strategic nuclear weapons is strong. The

United States and Russia should reduce their forces more

drastically than they agreed to in START II and refrain from

improving their nuclear arsenals both qualitatively and

quantitatively. Meanwhile every effort must be made to

fulfill the commitment undertaken in the 1963 Treaty

Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer

Space and Under Water. A comprehensive ban on nuclear

testing has been a long-standing objective of the international

community, including Myanmar. We hope that this

objective will be achieved at the earliest possible date,

preferably before the NPT review and extension Conference

convenes.

The global economic recovery remains high on the

international agenda. In a highly interdependent global

economy, the prosperity and growth of the developed and

the developing countries are intertwined. We therefore

welcome the statement of the Group of Seven at the Tokyo

Summit which recognizes that sustainable development and

integration of the developing countries into the world

economy is essential for global peace and prosperity. We

look forward to the concretization of the commitment by the

Group of Seven to pursue a comprehensive approach

covering aid, trade, investment and debt strategy.

Debt strategy, in our view, should not be carried out on

a case-by-case basis. It should be comprehensive for all

debtor countries. We are encouraged by the statement that

Forty-eighth session - 12 October l993 7

the major industrialized countries are determined to curb

protectionism and that no recourse will be made to initiatives

and arrangements that threaten to undermine the open

multilateral system. High priority must be given to the

successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round. The Punta del

Este Declaration is still valid, as are the provisions therein

on special and differential treatment for the developing

countries.

We have always subscribed to the view that the United

Nations occupies a unique position as a major forum for the

promotion of international cooperation for development. It

has now been universally recognized that world peace and

security, to be enduring must be underpinned by economic

and social development worldwide. In this regard we share

your view, Mr. President, that "An Agenda for Peace" must

now be complemented by "An Agenda for Development".

We ardently hope that deliberations on this topic at the

current session of the General Assembly will lead to

enhanced international cooperation for development, thereby

contributing to global economic recovery and international

peace.

In Myanmar we believe that political progress and

economic development are interdependent and that both are

vital to the well-being of the country. For this reason we

have been endeavouring to ensure political stability while

promoting economic reforms. Last year I stated here that

steps were being taken to convene a National Convention in

order to formulate guidelines for a firm and enduring

constitution.I am now happy to report that the National

Convention commenced work on 9 January of this year.

The Convention is an essential prerequisite for the building

of a democratic society in Myanmar, and its significance can

hardly be overemphasized. It has the participation of nearly

700 delegates comprising elected representatives,

representatives of the national races, political parties,

peasants, workers, intelligentsia and technocrats, State

service personnel, and specially invited persons. There is

universal agreement that the objectives of the Convention

should be to uphold the principles of non-disintegration of

the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and

perpetuation of national sovereignty; to nurture the universal

values of justice, liberty and equality; and to enable the

Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Defence Services, to participate in

a leading role in national politics.

Following intensive deliberations, agreement has been

reached on the chapter on the fundamental principles of the

State, which is of paramount importance as it embodies the

essence of the new constitution. Following extensive

discussions, consensus has also been reached on these

Fundamental Principles. In a period of nine months much

has been accomplished. Much of course remains to be done.

The Convention is presently in recess in order to provide

time for the delegates to make necessary preparations for the

next phase, which will commence on 18 January 1994.

The delegates to the Convention have had the

opportunity to study the Constitutions of various countries so

that they may cull the best from around the world.

However, there can be no single model that can be copied

and superimposed on Myanmar. The constitution to be

drafted must be in harmony with our own conditions and

reflect the wishes and aspirations of the entire nation. The

history of the modern nation of Myanmar is synonymous

with the history of the Tatmadaw. Since the time of our

struggle for national independence it has been in the

forefront of national politics. On four occasions since

independence when the country’s national sovereignty and

independence were threatened, the Tatmadaw was called

upon to shoulder national responsibilities to protect and

safeguard the nation. The Tatmadaw does not covet power.

Nor does it have any desire to hold on to the reins of power.

It is above party politics. However, as it represents the

single disciplined organization in the nation it is incumbent

upon it to play a leading role in national politics,

safeguarding the nation, national unity and national

sovereignty.

On the economic front, efforts are being made to ensure

a smooth transition from a centrally planned economy to a

market economy. Now that teething pains have been

overcome the economy is on the mend. It is significant that

the gross domestic product grew by 10.9 per cent in

1992-1993. The private sector, which only a few years ago

was almost non-existent, is expanding. Today there are a

growing number of investors, both local and foreign, in

fisheries, mining, oil exploration, manufacturing and various

other sectors. Major offshore oil and gas finds in our waters

have also heightened interest among friends and neighbours

in establishing mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

The political and economic changes are evidenced by

the vast transformations taking place in much of the country.

In both urban and rural areas, as well as in the border

regions, there is unprecedented infrastructure building:

schools, hospitals and dispensaries, as well as railways,

roads, bridges and multi-purpose dams, are going up

everywhere. That the people’s living standards are rising is

plain for all disinterested observers to see.

In spite of the positive political and economic changes

taking place in Myanmar, some continue to point an

accusing finger at us in regard to human rights. It bears

repeating that when we speak of human rights, the diversity

8 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

of our people’s historical, cultural and religious backgrounds

must neither be minimized nor forgotten. There is no unique

model of implementation of human rights that can be

superimposed on a given country. Any attempt to do so

would only spell chaos. If parts of the international

community are now beginning to contemplate the use of the

issue of human rights as a pretext for intervening in

domestic affairs of States, they will only undermine the very

rights they wish to protect and promote.

Poverty is one of the most pressing human rights issues

in our world today, and that is what we should seek to

overcome. In Myanmar we are giving priority to the

elimination of poverty and the narrowing of the gap between

the rich and the poor, the city dwellers and the rural folk.

We are redoubling our efforts to ensure that all citizens have

equal opportunity in their access to food, housing,

transportation, employment, education and health services.

On our western borders, over 40,000 returnees from

Bangladesh have been systematically received and returned

to their hearth and home. This is the result of the good-

neighbourly relations that exist between Myanmar and

Bangladesh. In accordance with the agreement reached

between the two countries in April 1992, we will continue

to receive those who are eligible to come as soon as their

cases can be processed by the authorities concerned in the

camps. The United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees, Mrs. Sadako Ogata, who visited Myanmar

recently, has been fully briefed on the important measures

we have taken. A memorandum of understanding between

Myanmar and the Office of the High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) will be signed shortly; it will provide

for the latter’s presence on the Myanmar side of the border.

We understand the need to find a lasting solution to the

complex problem of transborder migration for economic or

environmental reasons, and to that end we intend to hold

consultations with our Bangladeshi friends.

It has been our consistent policy to cooperate fully with

the United Nations in every field, including human rights.

Not only have we furnished information sought by various

United Nations bodies dealing with human rights; we also

received in 1992 the Special Rapporteur appointed by the

Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Yozo Yokota. We will

receive him yet again this year to demonstrate our good will.

It is our hope that Myanmar’s traditional respect for human

rights as well as the remarkable changes taking place

throughout the length and breadth of the country - from the

cities and towns to the border areas - will be seen and

appreciated.

Through the constructive measures taken in the past

five years, 10 terrorist groups have now returned to the legal

fold. Just last week, as the result of negotiations held

between the Government and Kachin national leaders in a

spirit of mutual accommodation and understanding as befits

blood brothers, the Kachin terrorist group returned to the

legal fold and has already joined hands with the Government

in promoting peace and prosperity in the Kachin state. Just

as the representatives of the nine preceding groups are

actively participating in the National Convention, the

representatives of this group, too, will enjoy the same rights.

It augurs well for the peace and unity of our country that

these 10 terrorist groups which have renounced the use of

force have been reintegrated into the national mainstream.

The return of our prodigal sons from 10 different

national races gives the lie to allegations that minority

groups in Myanmar are being oppressed, that their human

rights are being grossly violated and that democracy is non-

existent in the country. Never before in the history of

independent Myanmar have so many terrorist groups

returned to the legal fold in such numbers. That they have

done so is unmistakable testimony to the complete trust and

confidence which the national races have in the policy of

national reconciliation espoused by the State Law and Order

Restoration Council and in its good will and sincerity. Few

Governments can claim such positive achievements.

The problem of illicit drugs is like a cancer that poses

a great threat to the stability and well-being not only of our

country but also of the international community. Myanmar

remains steadfast in its resolve to overcome this scourge.

We realize that the problem of illicit drugs and trafficking

transcends borders and is too complex to be tackled by any

country acting alone. We have accordingly been working

together with the United Nations International Drug Control

Programme (UNDCP) and neighbouring countries to expand

activities aimed at reducing the supply of illicit drugs and

eventually eliminating opium cultivation altogether. In June

1992 Myanmar took the initiative by signing agreements

with the People’s Republic of China and the UNDCP and

also with Thailand and the UNDCP regarding crop

substitution, demand reduction and law enforcement.

UNDCP experts are already in the country working to

achieve these goals. Myanmar and Laos have also agreed to

cooperate in this regard. The Governments of Myanmar,

Laos, Thailand and China, aware that the problems of illicit

drug production, trafficking and abuse can be addressed only

through concerted international efforts, will sign a

memorandum of understanding with the UNDCP during the

course of the high-level plenary meetings of the General

Assembly on drug control to be held in New York from 26

to 27 October.

Forty-eighth session - 12 October l993 9

Last April, Myanmar signed a drug agreement with

India, and a similar agreement will be worked out with our

remaining neighbour, Bangladesh. We are confident that

this comprehensive and coordinated effort at the subregional

level will produce the desired results. In the past year the

strategy of combining prevention, education, treatment and

rehabilitation of addicts, law enforcement and border area

development has borne fruit. Significant amounts of illicit

drugs and drug paraphernalia have been seized and

destroyed. United Nations personnel and other visitors have

been given the opportunity to visit the regions where opium

is grown.

In August, United States Congressman Charles B.

Rangel, Chairman of the House Narcotics Abuse and Control

Committee, and Congressman Bill Richardson visited eastern

Shan State to acquire first-hand knowledge of the illicit drug

problem. During the visit they witnessed the destruction of

large amounts of opium, heroin, opium oil, liquid opium and

other drugs seized by the Myanmar authorities. Myanmar

will continue to give top priority to overcoming the threat

posed by illicit drugs, and it is our hope that more and more

countries will join hands with us in this noble endeavour.

Myanmar today is on the threshold of a new era. The

political, economic, social and administrative reforms

currently being implemented herald a united, stable, peaceful

and prosperous country. The new society will guarantee the

unity of the national races and ensure the perpetuation of our

national independence and sovereignty. It will be in

harmony with its environment, its historical experiences, and

the political, economic and social conditions of the nation.

It will reflect the diverse culture and traditions of the

national races in the union.

The new Myanmar nation that is envisaged by the

National Convention will be a genuine multi-party

democratic state. It will be a nation based on the universal

values of justice, liberty and equality. There will be social

justice, economic justice and political justice. There will be

a complete separation of powers of state, and the judiciary

will enjoy total independence. Freedom of thought, freedom

of expression, freedom of belief, freedom of worship,

freedom to seek a livelihood and freedom of organization

will be guaranteed. There will also be equality of status,

equality of opportunity and equality before the law.

These conditions will not materialize of their own

accord. The right atmosphere must be created. To this end,

my Government is doing its utmost to vindicate the trust

placed in it by the people. As the democratic society

envisaged is for the people of Myanmar, it must reflect the

objective conditions of the country and be established in the

manner and at the pace best suited to it.

Allow me to conclude by saying that the Tatmadaw

have never failed the people in their hour of need and will

not do so at this historic moment when a new nation is

being created.