Myanmar, 1996

May I begin by extending to

Mr. Razali the warmest congratulations of the delegation of

the Union of Myanmar on his most deserving election as

President of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly.

His election to that important office is no doubt a reflection

of the high esteem in which his country, Malaysia, is held

by the international community for its active role in world

affairs, and of his wealth of personal experience and

diplomatic skills. We are confident that under his

leadership our deliberations will be fruitful. On a personal

note, I should like to say how deeply honoured I was to

have accompanied the Head of State Senior General Than

Shwe on his state visit to Malaysia last month. The visit

was a success. We were much impressed by the warm

reception accorded us and by the outstanding

achievements of the leadership in bringing peace and

prosperity to the people of Malaysia.

I wish also to express our appreciation to

Mr. Razali’s predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Diogo

Freitas do Amaral, for his invaluable contribution to the

work of the fiftieth session of the General Assembly.

The United Nations today is at a crossroads. On the

one hand, there is hope for a new era in international

relations as post- cold-war trends compel nations towards

ever-growing interdependence and the globalization of the

world economy. On the other hand, issues that have been

dormant for decades have emerged, drawing the world

into a pattern of conflict, ethnic strife and violence. In

this time of global transformation the United Nations has

an important role to play. It must actively work to guide

the world through the transitional period to a new,

peaceful, secure and stable era based on respect for the

Charter.

In this United Nations Decade of International Law

it would be most appropriate to rededicate ourselves to

achieving a world in which principles of sovereignty,

territorial integrity, independence, sovereign equality and

non-interference in the internal affairs of States are

respected. Myanmar truly believes that we can overcome

the political, economic and social challenges we face and

avoid confrontation and chaos only if we seize the

opportunity to extend and strengthen the Organization and

promote a multilateral system based on the primacy of

international law and freedom of choice and equality of

all States.

Disarmament, sustainable development, enhancement

of the environment and suppression of narcotic drugs are

priority issues that affect the security and well-being of

peoples throughout the world. Concern continues to

mount over the lack of adequate progress in these areas.

The proliferation of arms, particularly of weapons of mass

destruction, remains the greatest potential threat to

mankind’s survival. All States, large and small, nuclear

and non-nuclear, have a vital interest in ensuring the

success of negotiations on disarmament. The primary

responsibility for removing the threat of a nuclear

16

holocaust, however, rests with the nuclear-weapon States.

It is essential that the nuclear-weapon States show the

political will to accommodate the concerns of non-nuclear-

weapon States to achieve a mutually acceptable basis for

universal disarmament.

Myanmar continues to regard a comprehensive test-ban

treaty as an essential step towards nuclear disarmament.

The adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban

Treaty (CTBT) by the General Assembly on 10 September

1996 is a welcome development. It will contribute

significantly to the process of nuclear disarmament and to

our efforts to achieve the goal of general and complete

disarmament.

Myanmar has always supported the establishment of

nuclear-free zones. In our own region we have, together

with our neighbours, signed and ratified the South East

Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Peace and security

in the world need to be built upon economic development.

Without development there can be no lasting peace. It must

be realized, however, that economic progress in developing

countries depends as much on a fair and equitable

international economic environment as it does on domestic

reforms to effectively confront the challenge of poverty and

economic malaise. In this regard, we share the Secretary-

General’s view that development should be recognized as

the foremost and most far-reaching task of our time. At the

same time, we are deeply concerned that the process of

globalization of the world economy has yielded many more

losers than winners. The situation was most eloquently

described by the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement,

President Samper Pizano of Colombia, in his address to the

Meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology held

earlier this year in Cartagena:

“The cake of progress continues to be handed out in

large slices for a few, and in crumbs for the rest.”

Indeed it is distressing to note the dangerous tendency

of certain States to link trade and commerce with other

issues. We find unacceptable the threat or use of economic

sanctions and the extraterritorial application of domestic law

to influence policies in developing countries. The use of

economic sanctions as a tool of policy is indefensible. It is

a flagrant breach of the United Nations Charter.

Narcotic drugs are a growing menace to the

international community. Aware of the problem, Myanmar

is carrying out narcotics suppression as a national cause.

From the outset the Myanmar Government realized that the

drug problem can be tackled only through a multisectoral

approach and has laid down national strategies to combat

the menace. The nationwide drug-abuse control

programme covers many activities: crop substitution and

livestock distribution for farmers in the border areas

where opium is grown; treatment and rehabilitation of

drug addicts; preventive education; and law enforcement.

The areas where poppies are grown are underdeveloped

regions where the national races depend on the cultivation

of opium as their principal means of livelihood. Hence,

the Government has set up an entire ministry devoted to

the development of border areas. The development of

these areas will no doubt ensure the success of the

eradication campaign.

In parallel with the national effort, the Government

has sought closer cooperation with the United Nations

International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and

neighbouring countries, and is actively participating in the

international campaign against the production and

trafficking of illicit drugs. Our efforts are meeting with

success, as one armed group after another has returned to

the fold to join hands with the Government in

development endeavours. An encouraging event this year

was the unconditional surrender of the Mong Tai Army of

nearly 20,000 men, led by U Khun Sa. We are confident

that this unprecedented achievement will result in a

drastic reduction of the opium supply.

I should like to firmly reiterate Myanmar’s

commitment to the total eradication of poppy plantations

in our country. The sheer magnitude of the problem

requires new ways and means to address the problem.

There must be additional efforts to curb demand, just as

we work to deter production and trafficking. We would

welcome increased support for our national programmes

or for development projects administered by UNDCP.

Environment issues are among the most widely

discussed topics of our times. Environment and

development top the international agenda as human

impact on the environment has increased dramatically and

mankind faces challenges unprecedented in scope and

severity. The tremendous growth in population, coupled

with industrial development in every region of the world,

has taxed the carrying capacity of the Earth. The struggle

even to support the present population at today’s

standards of living will cause environmental degradation

on an unprecedented scale. However, in the last few years

seeds of hope have been sown, as there is growing

awareness in the world that the causes and consequences

of environmental degradation transcend boundaries and

that our future world must be one of partnership.

17

Myanmar is aware that different elements of

ecological systems are linked. It is only through an

integrated approach at the national, regional and global

levels that we can achieve sustainable development. For this

reason we have been endeavouring to contribute to the

protection and promotion of the environment at every level.

In developing countries like Myanmar, forests,

farmlands, fisheries and freshwater constitute the foundation

of development. In Myanmar we are fortunate that these

resources are abundant and are not under stress. This is

largely the result of the traditional culture that pervades

daily life. Planting trees, creating gardens and parks,

building bridges, digging wells, and providing rest houses

and monasteries are considered meritorious deeds. The

people of Myanmar love and respect nature and seek to live

in harmony with the environment. The history of Myanmar

is replete with accounts of environmental conservation

carried out by Myanmar monarchs. The ancient kings had

the vision to protect teak forests by royal decree and to

ensure systematic management of forest resources.

In the three years following the World Conference on

Human Rights, increasing emphasis has been placed on the

promotion and protection of human rights. While we can

welcome the spirit in which the question of human rights is

considered, we are seriously concerned by the growing

tendency of certain Western countries to politicize the

question of human rights and to use it as a tool to interfere

in the domestic affairs of States. We firmly believe that the

international community should take a more holistic

approach to the question of human rights and not be

preoccupied with individual rights and freedoms.

Any government, institution or individual seeking to

promote human rights should bear in mind the significance

of national and regional peculiarities as well as historical,

cultural and religious backgrounds and the stage of

economic development. In Myanmar and other developing

countries, poverty remains an effective obstacle to the full

enjoyment of those rights. For this reason we are

redoubling our efforts to ensure our peoples’ right to

development so that they can be delivered from the clutches

of poverty.

The allegations that wholesale repressive measures are

being carried out in Myanmar have never been borne out.

On the contrary, the peace and stability that now reign in

the country have allowed it to achieve significant progress.

Continued economic reform will positively affect the living

standards of all citizens. At present there is potential in

Myanmar for unprecedented peace and development and for

it to join the ranks of the fast-growing economies in its

region. The international community can do no better than

to help Myanmar by playing a constructive role.

In recent years a few countries, such as Myanmar,

have been singled out by certain countries for punitive

action. Central to any assessment of the proper course of

policy towards any country is an understanding of the

conditions that prevail there. In the case of Myanmar, first

and foremost, it should be noted that it is undergoing

important reforms. Regrettably, no credit has been given

to the Myanmar Government for bringing about political

stability and economic progress in a short period of eight

years.

The Government has initiated economic reforms

aimed at transforming the centrally planned economy into

a market-oriented one. Private investment and domestic

entrepreneurial activity have been encouraged, and the

economy has been opened to direct foreign investment.

Private-sector participation in both domestic and foreign

trade has been promoted. The economic reforms are

bearing fruit and have led to sustained growth. In the past

four years the economy recorded an average growth rate

of 8.2 per cent, resulting in increased employment

opportunities and significantly rising living standards in

the country, primarily in urban areas, where private

enterprises are flourishing, and in fertile rural areas,

where farmers have better incentive to grow and market

their produce.

Foreign investments in Myanmar today totals $4.3

billion and is expected to grow in the coming years. That

the pace of economic activity has quickened is reflected

not only within the country but abroad, where a growing

number of Myanmar representatives are taking part in

international and regional forums, including sports,

business and intellectual meetings.

We in Myanmar are aware that the best hope for a

brighter future lies in our national races joining together

to ensure the stability of the State, community peace and

tranquillity. To this end a national convention is being

held to adopt guidelines for a new State constitution, in

accordance with which a peaceful, modern and developed

nation will be built.

It should be appreciated that Myanmar is a union

composed of 135 national races from which 16 armed

groups have evolved, some dating back to 1948, the year

of our independence. It should also be noted that, despite

the magnitude of the task, the Myanmar Government has

18

succeeded in bringing back to the fold 15 out of the 16

armed groups and has established a separate Ministry for

Progress of Border Areas and National Races and

Development Affairs. Insurgency, which hindered

development for decades, is now virtually over, and all the

energy of the defence forces and the people is being

devoted to nation-building. One fact that is often

overlooked is the pervasive influence of traditional culture

in Myanmar, as a result of which leniency has been shown

to offenders. Although a number of death sentences were

handed down by civil and military courts following the

1988 unrest in the country, none has been carried out.

One factor that demonstrates our confidence in the

positive changes taking place in Myanmar is our readiness

to open our doors to tourists. This year has been designated

“Visit Myanmar Year”, and we are expecting hundreds of

thousands of visitors despite the negative campaign

launched by critics. Those who call for a travel boycott to

Myanmar should remember that tourism benefits a wide

range of people, the visitors as well as the hosts. Big hotels

and travel agencies, as well as the family-run stalls that sell

everything from hand-crafted jewellery to lacquer-ware and

wood carvings, stand to make a living. Why not encourage

tourists to come to Myanmar and see for themselves the

vast transformations taking place?

Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new

millennium, we have before us both opportunities and

challenges. At this time of important change and

transformation, the United Nations and its Member States

must strive to ensure that all nations can live in peace and

harmony. To this end, we will need a man of exceptional

skills and wisdom at the helm of the Organization in the

years ahead. We should continue to seek the best man for

the job, bearing in mind the personal skills and integrity

that the important post demands. The choice of the

Secretary-General of the Organization assumes an even

greater importance at this time, when we see increasing

resort to the threat or use of force in a manner inconsistent

with the purposes and principles of the Organization.

In conclusion, I should like to renew Myanmar’s

pledge to work with all nations to strengthen the

Organization and to achieve universal peace.