Statement
U KYAW TINT SWE (Myanmar), expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General’s good offices, noting the complex challenges of transforming the country into a democratic society, while at the same time forging national reconciliation and maintaining unity. It was no easy task. In the course of his good offices efforts, many of the things that Mr. Gambari had discussed with the Government had come to fruition. For example, the Government had lifted the curfew, withdrawn the military from public areas in major cities and released some 2,600 persons, including 780 monks, from detention. The National Convention had been concluded and 8,552 prisoners had been released to mark that historic occasion. Dialogue and cooperation with ILO continued.
He said the Special Adviser’s discussions with the authorities had been “very useful”, because both sides had been able to understand each other and draw parameters for cooperation with the United Nations. It was also gratifying that Myanmar’s neighbours saw the situation as it really was and acknowledged the progress made during the visit. It had been possible to explain the inclusive nature of the National Convention process, which laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in the draft constitution. The National Convention had comprised some 1,080 delegations, 635 of whom were from ethnic nationalities. It had also included representatives of the political parties and of the 17 insurgent groups that had returned to the legal fold. Myanmar had endured more than 40 years of insurgency because of the weakness of the 1947 Constitution. Some ethnic nationalities had reservations about the constitution’s provisions. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance to include their representatives and those of former insurgent groups in the National Convention process, so as to ensure their acceptance of the fundamental principles.
Under the fundamental principles adopted by the National Convention, he said, in addition to the existing seven states and seven divisions, the ethnic nationalities with sizeable populations would be allowed to form self-administered zones, in fulfilment of one of their most important aspirations. The boundaries of the existing states and the new self-administered zones had also been agreed by the representatives of the National Convention. The Constitution Drafting Commission had completed that task, and the draft constitution containing those agreements, as well as qualifications for taking part in the elections, would be put to a nationwide referendum in May. The Government had assured Mr. Gambari that it would be free and fair. Everyone -– those supporting the Government and those opposed to its policies -– would be allowed to participate on equal terms both in the referendum and in the elections.
Given the complexity of the challenges facing Myanmar, the Government had come a long way and made significant strides in its seven-step political road map, he said. The country had been cooperating, and would continue to cooperate, with the United Nations. After all, cooperation with the Organization was the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Myanmar was not a threat to international peace and security, as all its neighbours could attest. Additionally, the country was making significant strides in its national reconciliation and democratization process. “No Security Council action is warranted with regard to Myanmar,” he concluded.
U KYAW TINT SWE (Myanmar), expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General’s good offices, noting the complex challenges of transforming the country into a democratic society, while at the same time forging national reconciliation and maintaining unity. It was no easy task. In the course of his good offices efforts, many of the things that Mr. Gambari had discussed with the Government had come to fruition. For example, the Government had lifted the curfew, withdrawn the military from public areas in major cities and released some 2,600 persons, including 780 monks, from detention. The National Convention had been concluded and 8,552 prisoners had been released to mark that historic occasion. Dialogue and cooperation with ILO continued.
He said the Special Adviser’s discussions with the authorities had been “very useful”, because both sides had been able to understand each other and draw parameters for cooperation with the United Nations. It was also gratifying that Myanmar’s neighbours saw the situation as it really was and acknowledged the progress made during the visit. It had been possible to explain the inclusive nature of the National Convention process, which laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in the draft constitution. The National Convention had comprised some 1,080 delegations, 635 of whom were from ethnic nationalities. It had also included representatives of the political parties and of the 17 insurgent groups that had returned to the legal fold. Myanmar had endured more than 40 years of insurgency because of the weakness of the 1947 Constitution. Some ethnic nationalities had reservations about the constitution’s provisions. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance to include their representatives and those of former insurgent groups in the National Convention process, so as to ensure their acceptance of the fundamental principles.
Under the fundamental principles adopted by the National Convention, he said, in addition to the existing seven states and seven divisions, the ethnic nationalities with sizeable populations would be allowed to form self-administered zones, in fulfilment of one of their most important aspirations. The boundaries of the existing states and the new self-administered zones had also been agreed by the representatives of the National Convention. The Constitution Drafting Commission had completed that task, and the draft constitution containing those agreements, as well as qualifications for taking part in the elections, would be put to a nationwide referendum in May. The Government had assured Mr. Gambari that it would be free and fair. Everyone -– those supporting the Government and those opposed to its policies -– would be allowed to participate on equal terms both in the referendum and in the elections.
Given the complexity of the challenges facing Myanmar, the Government had come a long way and made significant strides in its seven-step political road map, he said. The country had been cooperating, and would continue to cooperate, with the United Nations. After all, cooperation with the Organization was the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Myanmar was not a threat to international peace and security, as all its neighbours could attest. Additionally, the country was making significant strides in its national reconciliation and democratization process. “No Security Council action is warranted with regard to Myanmar,” he concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment