Statement by His Excellency U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of The Union of Myanmar at the 13th Non-Aligned Movement Summit

Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I would like, first of all to congratulate our colleague His Excellency Mr. Hamin Syed Alber, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, on assuming the chair of this meeting. I am confident that under his able leadership, the meeting will be fruitful.

We meet at a time when the global political and security situation presents us with daunting challenges. In the past year the resort to use of force or threat of use of force and attempts by some nations to impose their values on small and developing nations have rightly triggered a call to strengthen multilateralism. In these circumstances, there is an urgent need for NAM member countries to support multilateral efforts in addressing global issues. Unilateral measures to exert pressure on Non-Aligned Countries and other developing countries are not only contrary to international law, they also go against the norms and principles governing peaceful relations among states as contained in the Charter of the United Nations.

In this regard we are pleased to note that the 13th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kula Lumpur, adopted a declaration on continuing the revitalization of the Non-Aligned Movement, stressing the need for the Movement to promote multilateralism to better defend the interests of developing countries and prevent their marginalization in view of the trend towards unilateralism and the rise of new challenges such as international terrorism. We welcome NAM's resolve to promote and strengthen the multilateral process as an indispensable vehicle for safeguarding the interests of member states.

Mr. Chairman,

On the economic side, the global economic recovery is still slow. The outbreak of SARS in parts of Asia earlier in the year adversely affected the tourism industry in many Asian countries. Moreover acts of terrorism committed in Bali, Jakarta, Mumbai, Baghdad and other places have also contributed to weighing down our economies.

In Myanmar we have had bitter experiences with terrorism. We stand ready to join hands with NAM member countries to meet the challenge posed by the menace of terrorists. The international community must act together to overcome this challenge.

We note that globalization for all its promise, has not yielded significant results for many countries. The vast majority of countries still do not share the benefits of globalization. The Kuala Lumpur Declaration correctly points out that the rich and powerful countries increasingly exercise influence in determining the nature and direction of international trade and economic relations, at the expense of developing countries. To counter the growing threat to our economic life, we must strive for the full and effective participation of developing countries in the international economic and financial decision-making process. Only then can our development interests, such as enhanced access to markets, to international capital flows and to technology be fully taken into account.

Mr. Chairman,

Myanmar today is targeted by some development countries who wish to impose their own values on us. They have chosen to ignore the genuine efforts that we have taken to affect a better life for our people. Regrettably, some countries, while placing a premium on democracy and human rights at the international level fall to do the same at the international level.

Recently, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar as a means of achieving their policy objectives. Sanctions are blunt weapons and only worsen the plight of the most vulnerable members of the population and delay the democratization process in the country. No matter what pressures are applied we will never be deterred.

We firmly believe that NAM members will see the true situation in Myanmar and will continue to be fully supportive of our sincere efforts to build a peaceful, modern, developed and democratic nation.

Mr. Chairman,

We live in uncertain times. In the circumstance, the principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement must be upheld to ensure greater international solidarity and cooperation.

In order to ensure peace and security in the world, NAM must insist on resolution of disputes by pacific means in accordance with the Charier of the United Nations as well as a more balanced and equitable system of international relations.

Myanmar will work closely with fellow members of NAM to ensure its continued success.

Thank you.