SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY U WIN AUNG MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AT THE RECEPTION FOR DIPLOMATIC CORPS

(Yangon, 5 January 2001)

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

May I, at the outset, wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on my own.

I thank you all who are present here for making an effort to attend this reception, the first to be hosted at the Ministry in the year 2001.

We have left behind the year 2000 or Y2K in modem appellation, and are preparing ourselves with new resolute determination to create a better future for the world we live in despite shortcomings and weaknesses. With the advancement of globalization, developing countries like Myanmar are encountered with the threat of being marginalized, while developed countries are enjoying the benefits of this process. However, we in Myanmar, with limited technology and available resources, are trying our utmost not to be left far behind in the economic and technological progress.

We have recently inaugurated e-Education on the first day of new year with the use of Electronic Data Broadcasting System in 203 learning centres throughout the country. It is a modest, but important step for Myanmar in this era of Knowledge based society where sustained efforts are needed to be exerted to keep pace with the development of modern information technology.

At the same time, we are enjoying today unprecedented peace and tranquility throughout the length and breadth of the country conducive to its economic development endeavours. The market-oriented economic policy implemented since the inception of the present government is now gaining momentum with the growth of private sector. While the State is giving top priority in the improvement of the basic infrastructure of the country, private sector is involved intensely in agriculture production and small and medium scale industries. The recent inauguration of Shwepyitha Bridge brings to 1 19 numbers of bridges of 180 feet in length and above built by the government. About one thousand miles of rail tracks, more than three thousand eight hundred miles of motor roads and over II 5 dams have also been built during the time of this government. We are proud to say that all these achievements are made with our own resources, human, technology and financial, while we are being imposed with sanctions by some western countries and in the absence of external assistance for development.
We have spent more than 20 billion Kyats in developing the basic infrastructure of the border areas, uplifting the economic opportunities for betterment of life of our brethren there and establishing the necessary education and health care facilities. The improvement in infrastructure has not only changed the economic life of many people but it has also resulted in the strengthening of the Union Spirit or sense of national identity among the national races.

Due to our relentless efforts, our economy grew by 10.9 percent in 1999/2000. During the Five Year Short-Term Economic Plan from 1996-97 to 2000-2001, we achieved an average of 7.2 percent GDP growth compared to the planned target of 6 percent annual growth. Likewise, in terms of inflation, which used to be about 30.36 percent in October 1999, we were able to bring it down to 3.59 percent last year.

Excellencies,

Let me turn to the achievements of our foreign policy objectives and Myanmar's efforts in consolidating friendship and understanding with all the countries over the world. As in the past, we continue to practice our independent and active foreign policy based on sincerity and genuine friendship towards all nations, irrespective of size and proximity. We always try to build stronger good neighbourly ties with all our immediate neighbours as well as with the countries in our region.

Many important high-level visits took place between Myamnar and countries of Asia during last year. In June 2000, General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, visited China, a country with which we enjoy Paukphaw relationship. His visit also marked the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and China. On our western front, we have further - cemented our relationship with our neighbour India. The visit of General Maung Aye to India in November last year was very significant since exchange of high-level visits between the two countries has not been taken place for some years. It has resulted in consolidating friendship and bilateral cooperation between the two countries. General Maung Aye also had the opportunity to renew friendship and good­neighbourly ties with Laos when he paid an official visit there in December 2000. Likewise, Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary(l) of the State Peace and Development Council's visit to Pakistan in June 2000 also represents a milestone in our relations with that country. The visit has consolidated the happy relations we enjoy with Pakistan. Among the dignitaries that visited Myanmar last year are Cambodian Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen. Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr. Phan Van Khai and Chinese Vice-President Mr. Huu Jintao who came here in February, May and July respectively. Recently, we have the pleasure of receiving Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir in town.

Myanmar's participation in regional cooperation has been gaining impetus since she became a member of ASEAN in 1997. Myanmar played host to a number of ASEAN Ministerial meetings, including the Third ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Youth, which was convened in Yangon last November. During the same month, in the latter half, our Chairman Senior General Than Shwe attended the ASEAN Summit in Singapore where he had the opportunity to meet and discuss not only with ASEAN leaders but also with leaders from China, Japan and Republic of Korea.

With regard to ASEAN-EU cooperation, it was never the intention of Myanmar to be an impediment in the relations between the two groups. What we asked for is the equal treatment and equal participation in this process. We are glad that the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting was finally able to convene in Laos in December last year after three years of stalemate. That meeting attended by Ministers of all 10 ASEAN countries clearly demonstrates ASEAN's dynamic unity and its willingness and desire to promote relations with other countries and organizations. It also proves that ASEAN was able to hold the meeting between the two organizations of different regions with the attendance of the 10 countries of Southeast Asia. it was in fact a win-win situation for both of the organizations.

Since Myanmar is located between South and Southeast Asia mainland, its geographically advantaged position could serve as a bridge between the two regions. Myanmar became a member of BIMST-EC in December 1997 and has since been participating in its activities for the enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation among the members. In coming February, Myanmar will be hosting and chairing the 4h Ministerial Meeting of BIMST-EC.

One unhappy episode we encountered last year in our relations with international community was the adoption of the resolution by the ILO Governing Body, approving the decision of the 88'h ILO to impose sanctions on Myanmar for allegedly using forced labour. We are disappointed not because of the threat of impending sanctions but because of its one-sided action, which was made in total disregard to serious efforts taken by Myanmar in placing necessary legislative, administrative and executive frameworks as recommended by the 8 8th ELC. This discriminatory and unfair action leaves us no choice but to discontinue our cooperation with the ILO. However, we will carry on to fulfill our obligations as a responsible and dutiful member of the international community. At this juncture, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to our friends who steadfastly stood on our side during this difficult time.

Our cooperation with international community can be seen in our decision to give free access to ICRC to our prisons and places of detention. We welcomed the visit of Mr. Chris Sidoti, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commissioner from Australia, last year and subsequent discussions continued with Australian officials on matters of human rights. We have also extended our cooperation fully to Mr. Razali, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, when he visited Myanmar last year. He is scheduled to visit Myanmar again in the near future. At the 13th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting last December we had agreed to the next visit of EU Troika to Myanmar and had promised to extend our full cooperation to that mission. Our position on promotion of human rights is that nations should cooperate with each other through dialogue, persuasion and mutual understanding on the basis of equality and sincerity. We would never yield to pressuring tactics with overbearing tones and imposing one's views and values on others arbitrarily.

Excelliencies,

We are finally committed to continue to practice our foreign policy based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Taking, advantage of the globalization process, there were attempts by some quarters to discard these cardinal principles of foreign relations, especially those relating to sovereignty, territorial integrity and iion­interference in internal affairs. We believe dangerous precedent will be set if we allowed this to take place. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance our concerted efforts, bilaterally and regionally, to prevent developing countries like us from servitude.

Finally, I wish to thank all tile diplomatic representatives accredited to Myanmar for extending friendship and cooperation, in order that our common objectives could be achieved. At the same time, I would like to assure you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to try its utmost in strengthening and consolidating further the friendly relations and cooperation with all nations and to assist you all in discharging effectively of your diplomatic and consular responsibilities in Myanmar.

Once again, I wish you all the best and a very happy and prosperous New Year. Thank you