Myanmar Dismisses US Issue on Violation of Human Rights

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar today issued a statement in response to the report issued on 28 February by United States Department of State, to the effect that there has been violation of human rights in Myanmar.
The full context of the statement is as follows:—
The United States Department of State has once again arrogated to itself the moral authority to pass judgement on human rights practices in Myanmar. The report for 2004 issues in Washington DC on 28 February is patently false and is nothing more than a catalogue of allegations. It fails to reflect the true situation obtaining in the country. The Myanmar government has not only succeeded in meeting the challenge of restoring peace and stability in the country but in strengthening national unity as well. With the steady improvement of the country’s infrastructure, the economy has expended and living standards of the people have improved.
Any objective observer can see the positive changes in the political, economic and social spheres in Myanmar. The very fact that the seven-step Road Map to democratization is on the track, and that the National Convention, which resumed work on 17 February is attended by delegates coming from all parts of the country and all strata of society including representatives of national races, political parties and armed groups, speaks volumes for the systematic manner in which the aspirations of the people are being met.
With regard to the economy, the country has registered an average growth rate of 8.5 per cent annually for the past three years, despite sanctions imposed by some countries. In the social field, notable improvements can be seen as health and education facilities have been enhanced both quantitatively and qualitatively.
No foreign power can claim to have greater interest in the well-being of citizens of Myanmar than the government and people of Myanmar. The report of the United States Department of State can only be regarded as a politically-motivated attempt to maintain pressure on Myanmar and to interfere in the domestic affairs of the country
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore categorically rejects the United States Department of State annual report on human rights in Myanmar.