Myanmar, 1999

Allow me to begin, Mr.

President, by extending to you the warmest congratulations

of the delegation of the Union of Myanmar on your

unanimous election as President of the General Assembly

at its fifty-fourth session. Heavy and onerous indeed are the

duties and responsibilities that fall 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 less so this year, as this session has the additional task

of undertaking the preparatory work for the millennium

session of next year. However, 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 my delegation's fullest

cooperation for the advancement of the work of the

Assembly under your able leadership.

I also wish to pay tribute to your predecessor, 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 his untiring efforts in leading the

world Organization so effectively through these extremely

challenging and difficult years.

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, the Republic of Nauru and the Kingdom of Tonga,

which have taken their rightful places in the Assembly.

We live in a rapidly changing world. With the end of

the cold war, the old era of the bipolar world has become

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 situations. Sometimes, the world has even

fallen victim to this turbulence and chaos.

In dealing with such situations, it is our view that any

solutions sought or measures taken, even with the best of

intentions, should be in strict 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 an extreme nature in connection with a particular

situation.

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 a two-thirds majority in taking decisions

and adopting resolutions on this question.

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 the Non-Aligned Movement, our preference is for

enlargement of the Security Council up to 26 members.

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 other options fail to command

enough support, the idea of rotating permanent seats

should also be considered as one of the options in the

permanent membership category.

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 and 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.

Globalization can cut both positively and negatively.

It can bring us new opportunities as well as additional

problems. It is true that the process of globalization can

facilitate economic development and enhance the living

standards of 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 crime, 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.

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I am pleased to inform the Assembly that in a bid to

strengthen cooperation in the regional grouping, Myanmar

hosted the second Association of South-East Asian Nations

(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

Asian region.

Let me also address 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 has been stepped up in the border

areas, resulting in increased seizures of narcotic drugs.

While we are quite successful in the suppression of

opium and heroin production, though only scanty

international assistance has been received, another tide of

danger has emerged in the form of new synthetic drugs,

such as methamphetamine. The new drugs are produced

around our porous borders with precursor 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.

Allow me to take this opportunity to apprise the

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 developed democratic State. In order to bring this

vision into reality, we are reconsolidating national unity as

the number one priority. Necessary foundations are being

laid for the emergence of a nation where a disciplined and

multi-party democratic system fully functions and justice,

liberty and equality prevail.

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 right to the

satisfaction of 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 suggestions and take whatever

action we possibly can.

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 confidence-building

measure and to enable them to interview the inmates in

accordance with ICRC standard procedures. As a result of

the full cooperation we extended to the ICRC delegation,

those visits were successful and productive, enabling both

sides to build mutual trust and goodwill. I consider it

pertinent to state here that the ICRC delegation expressed

their satisfaction with the overall situation regarding the

relationship between the prison authorities and the

inmates.

Also, in August this year, Mr. Chris Sidoti, the

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 exchanges

of 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.

In conformity with our consistent policy of

establishing friendly and amicable relations with all

countries, we accepted the proposal for the visit of the

Troika mission from the European Union to Myanmar in

July this year. The mission was a fact-finding one, 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 it towards a

more meaningful and substantive level in the future.

Similarly, 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. Alvaro de Soto,

the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-

General for Myanmar, to visit my country in the near

future.

Myanmar is a multi-ethnic society where many

national races with different and diverse cultural and

social backgrounds reside together. In addition, primarily

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because of the “divide and rule” policy under colonial rule,

unity between the national races broke down and, as a

result, armed insurrections broke out all over the country.

For these reasons, the present Government came to the

conclusion that racial harmony was imperative and that, in

its absence, various issues would continue to hamper

national development endeavours. This rationale led the

Government to make peace overtures to the armed groups

and establish peace with them.

In order to restore trust and confidence between the

national races, the Government has even allowed the ethnic

armed groups to hold on to their weapons until a

democratic government is formally established under 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 the national races there.

Despite its meagre 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 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 it is

unprecedented in the number of armed groups involved and

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 convinced 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 ground in the sole interest of the country and its

people. In this regard, I wish to reiterate that the

Government's offer of peace to the KNU still stands.

As a matter of fact, the same dialogue is going on in

the national convention process, where representatives of

national races, political parties and delegates representing

all strata of life are actively involved in drafting a new

constitution to lay a solid foundation for a new democratic

political system. The national convention has been a

successful process whereby we have 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

shortcomings of the previous two constitutions.

We firmly believe that there is no better alternative

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.

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.

Myanmar is very often portrayed from outside as if

vast violations of human rights are taking place, forced

labour is rampant, a 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 widely known teaching of the Lord

Buddha called “Kalama Sutta”. The Sutta says:

“Oh, Ye Kalamas, do not be led by whatever

you are told; do not be led by whatever has been

handed down from the past generation; do not be led

by hearsay or common opinion; do not be led by

whatever the scriptures say; do not be led by mere

logic; do not be led by mere deduction or inference;

do not be led by considering outward appearance; do

not be led by theory reflected as approval; do not be

led by whatever a believable one says; and do not be

led by what your teacher tells you is so”.

In short, Lord Buddha taught us to accept and practice

only when we ourselves know which is wrong and which

is right.

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 and 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 for

yourselves. Seeing is believing!

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Our nation is still in the process of building; solid

foundations are being laid, and infrastructure is 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 all the people, who

are its rightful owners. When the building is finished,

furnished, furbished and fine-touched, it will be handed

over to them. The people will decide who will manage the

house.

There are some Myanmar youths who abandoned our

land and took refuge elsewhere. I should like to take this

opportunity to send them a message from this podium that

they will be welcomed with open arms if they return home,

and I would like to invite them to join us in building the

nation. Our future is in our hands. If we work together, we

will reach our goal sooner rather than later.

Religious harmony and freedom are our shared

tradition. Our previous two Constitutions provided for

safeguards against religious discrimination and religious

intolerance. Similarly, the fundamental principles we have

agreed on in the national convention process guarantee

religious indiscrimination and religious tolerance. Although

Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country, with nearly

90 per cent 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

leaderships and the provision of necessary assistance in

both financial and material terms to enable them to promote

their faiths effectively. I want to state here 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

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, remarked

in her capacity as Independent Expert of the Commission

on Human Rights, that Myanmar was a model society as far

as religious tolerance was concerned. Though these remarks

were made some time ago, I wish to stress that they remain

valid and true to this day, and that the Government is

determined to safeguard to the best of its ability all the

religions of the country against intolerance, and to help

them in all possible ways to coexist harmoniously with each

other.

I cannot conclude without mentioning what my

country is achieving on the economic front. Despite some

slowdown in economic growth due to the 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 the development of the

infrastructure 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 holdings to the private companies. The

private sector has been able to reclaim and develop 1.1

million acres of fallow land and wetlands for agricultural

production, which will not only help domestic food

supply but will also contribute to regional food security.

We have a vision for the new millennium, a vision

of building a peaceful, modern, developed and democratic

society. We will endeavour to realize our vision 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.