[ Oct 13 , 2003 ]

A press conference was held in the meeting hall of the of the Defence Services Guest House at No.20 Inya Road, Yangon on 13 October 2003.

Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Maj Gen. Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig. Gen. Aung Thein and Maj. Gen. Khin Aung Myint of the Ministry of Defence, high-ranking government and military officials and local and foreign news correspondents attended the press conference.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win first gave a briefing on the Ninth ASEAN Summit Meeting as well as the ASEAN+3 and other important Meetings held at Bali, Indonesia an the 6th-8th October 2003.

Prime Minister of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt together with the ASEAN heads of government attended the ASEAN Summit Meeting and other related meetings. The Prime Minister of Myanmar soon after arrival at Bali, Indonesia on 6th October attended the Working Dinner in the evening On 7th October, he attended the Ninth ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN and heads of the Republic of China, Japan and Korea Meetings. The Prime Minister of Myanmar then attended the ASEAN+China, ASEAN+Japan, ASEAN+Korea and ASEAN+India Summit meeting on 8th October.

At the said meetings the Prime Minister of Myanmar together with the other ASEAN heads of government signed the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (Bali Concord II). Likewise, together with the other ASEAN heads of government, he signed the Joint Declaration on Building a Strategic Partnership of Peace and Prosperity at the ASEAN-China Joint Summit; the Framework Agreement for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Between ASEAN and Japan at the ASEAN-Japan Summit and the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Between ASEAN and India at the ASEAN-India Summit.

Prime Minister General Khin Nuunt together with the other ASEAN heads of government witnessed the signing ceremony of the ASEAN foreign affairs ministers to China's Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and India's Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

A significant event that followed the working dinner on 6th October was the informal discussions confined exclusively to the ten heads of government of ASEAN, at which Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt gave a clarification on the latest developments in Myanmar. This statement was made not at the behest of the other heads of ASEAN but in anticipation that they would need to know the latest situation in Myanmar. This was followed by speeches made by the prime ministers of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore who explicitly gave full support to the Seven-phase future programme (Road Map) for Myanmar. The other ASEAN heads of government also congratulated Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt on his clarification of developments in Myanmar.

There was no reference to the domestic situation in Myanmar by the other heads of government during discussions at the ASEAN Summit, or at the ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Korea and ASEAN-India summit meetings. However, at the summit meeting of ASEAN-China, Japan and Korea, (ASEAN+3), the Japanese Prime Minister mentioned that Myanmar should try to resolve her domestic issues as soon as possible as they would have some impact on the region. Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra countered the Japanese statement by pointing out that Myanmar's Seven-phase programme in his view was a reliable and trustworthy course and that it also fully demonstrated the Myanmar Government's firm commitment towards democracy. He also said that, as Myanmar's closest neighbour he was very much aware that instability in the border areas would have immediate impact on his country, and that therefore he understood that Daw Suu Kyi was not the only issue but that there were other issues that had to be attended to; and that he sincerely expected that progress would be made in time and that they (the ASEAN) should give their support to the Myanmar Government's efforts at national reconciliation.

At the ASEAN-Japan summit meeting held on 8 October, Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi again said that it was important that Myanmar try to implement as soon as possible the programme for setting up a democracy and that he understood the fact that Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt would do his utmost for success of the future programme, but that Japan could not help but he concerned about the situation in Myanmar. He further said that he hoped Myanmar would make every endeavour for progress and that the results would meet with the approval of both the international community and Japan. Japan, he then added, would be ready to resume all regular aid and assistance once substantial and tangible progress had been made. Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt in reply to Mr Koizumi said that as he had said in his clarification on the latest developments, Myanmar was making unremmitting efforts for the establishment of a democracy in face of the many challenges that beset her and that in setting up a democracy it was more important to adhere to the will and desires of the people than to that of one individual or one particular group; and that the Government of Myanmar would do what is best for the country.

The discussions during the course of the ASEAN Summit meeting were smooth and constructive throughout and it is regrettable that Japan chose to sound a note of discord.

It would indeed be most appropriate at this point to quote an excerpt from the speech given by Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr Mahathir Mohammed at the ASEAN-China Summit on 8 October. He said in effect that some super powers were using democracy as a pretext to commit acts of armed aggression. Dr. Mahathir said that problems cannot be solved simply by invoking the name of democracy with the chance to cast votes. To give an example with reference to Myanmar, he said, it was still having to contend with ethnic strife and that it was necessary to understand the complexity of ethnic problems. So in such a situation the interest of the majority had to be given priority and that it was impossible to pursue the western type of democracy said the Malaysian Prime Minister. It should be understood that no two nations could be the same, but that negotiations for national reconciliation was a always a welcome step and that there was no reason why this cannot be achieved in Myanmar. He further commented that democracy as practiced in western countries was too open and liberal for successful application in Asian countries. Even Malaysia he said could be said to deviate from the path of such democracy because there were times when people had to be detained as a pre-emptive measure, that they also faced ethnic extremism with attempts to overthrow the government. So such subversive elements had to be unavoidably arrested.

At the conclusion of the meetings of the Ninth ASEAN Summit a Press Statement was issued which contained a paragraph on Myanmar reached by consensus by the ASEAN heads of government.

It stated that:
The Leaders welcomed the recent positive developments in Myanmar and the Government's pledge to bring about a transition to democracy through dialogue and reconciliation. The roadmap as outlined by the Prime Minister of Myanmar that would involve all strata of Myanmar society is a pragmatic approach and deserves understanding and support. The Leaders also agree that sanctions are not helpful in promoting peace and stability essential for democracy to take root.

Myanmar on her part heartily welcomes this Press Statement and expresses profound thanks to the heads of ASEAN.

As it is common knowledge, before the Summit, the international media, particularly those of the West, had been speculating wildly, saying that other ASEAN nations were going to exert pressure on Myanmar and make all kinds of demands.

But in actual fact what they foretold did not come true. All the ASEAN heads unanimously welcomed and endorsed the 7-phase future programme. A Press statement issued at the close of the Summit meeting specifically mentioned the positive steps Myanmar had embarked on for future progress and development. The only negative remark was made by Japan.

During the course of the Summit Meeting the Prime Minister called on the Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Wang Jiabhao, Malaysian Prime Minisrer Dr Mahathir Mohammed, Singapore Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, Thai Prime Minisrer Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and Indonesian President Madame Megawatti Sukarnoeputri and discussed bilateral friendship and cooperation and other shared interests. There discussions contributed greatly towards the strengthening of bilateral ties and understanding. The Prime Minister also had the opportunity to explain the real state of affairs in the country and the ASEAN leaders responded positively to Myanmar's future programme for progress and development. They also had the opportunity to learn at first hand the obstacles Myanmar faced in her path towards democracy and the many challenges she still has to face. This made it clear to the ASEAN leaders Myanmar's firm commitment to democracy.

To sum up, the Ninth ASEAN Summit was a landmark meeting for the ASEAN because it was able to ratify the Bali Concord II and thereby lay down future policies for the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Security Community and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community. Furthermore China and India acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which is the foundation of the ASEAN, thus contributing towards peace and economic cooperation in the region. Moreover it was a momentous meeting where Myanmar gained the sympathy, understanding and support of her regional partners with regard to developments in Myanmar and her future plans and programmes. It was thus a most satisfactory outcome. In the process, through personal contact with ASEAN leaders, friendships have been forged and bilateral ties further strengthened. It was thus a historic meeting.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win then proceeded to rebut recent allegations that Myanmar was at present indiscriminately felling trees resulting in deforestation. Some irresponsible members of the foreign media have circulated rumours that Myanmar was felling trees from her forests for sale without any consideration for the resulting environmental degradation. Deputy Minister U Khin Maung win said unequivocally that this was not true, that in fact the Ministry of Forests has been engaged in extending the area of Myanmar's forests through reforestation, research and developing and reproducing new and better strains of seeds. In carrying out logging operations it does so systematically and in strict adherence to international laws, rules and regulations.

According to the Forest Resource Assessment (FRA-2000) conducted by FAO, Myanmar has a forest covered area of 52% of the country's total land area, one of the highest in the Asia-Pacific Region. Myanmar has 150 years of experience with the world renowned Myanma Selection System (MSS) of forest management and the clear cutting system has never been practiced.

As a result, Myanmar is recognized by International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) as one of the six countries of the world which are achieving sustainable forest management (SFM).

The Myanmar Forest Policy has been formulated in a holistic and balanced manner within the overall context of the environment and sustainable development taking full cognizance of the forestry principles adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992. The policy has identified six imperatives, namely PROTECTION, SUSTAINABILITY, BASIC NEEDS, EFFICIENCY, AND PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS.

The old Forest Act of 1902 had been replaced by the new forest law, which was enacted in November 1992. The forest law (1992) highlights forest protection, environmental and biodiversity conservation, and extend permanent forest estates (PFEs) and protected areas system (PAS). Both the forest policy and forest law are in line with the forest principle laid down at the 1992 UNCED.

Myanmar has indicated its commitment to the sustainable development of natural resources and environment by ratifying or acceding, and fulfilling its obligations to the following International Conventions.
- The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in 1993;
- The UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD) in January 1994;
- The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), in November 1994;
- The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, in November 1994;
- The UN Convention on Biological Diversity, in November 1994;
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), in June 1997.

The following are the initiatives taken in cooperation with the national and international partners, which support the development of the forestry sector in general, and the national forest programmes (NFPs) in particular.
- Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management (C&I for SFM),
- Development of Model Forests,
- Timber Certification,
- Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting

As in other developing countries, Myanmar is faced with illegal logging to some extent. Myanmar is taking all possible measures to curb and eventually eliminate the practice.

The forestry sector of Myanmar will remain important to the sustainable development of the nation and provides economic gains and supports the livelihood of rural communities; maintains and promotes biodiversity of both flora and fauna; and stabilizes soil, water and the whole environment. Accordingly, Myanmar has been trying its best to strike a balance between harvesting timber from the natural forests and conservation of it biological diversity. It has also endeavored to contain the problems by educating the communities within its own capacity and in accordance with the policy guidelines.

In response to a question raised by a foreign correspondent concerning news that has been circulating about the approaches made by the KNU insurgents for their return to the legal fold, Deputy Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said that so far no such approaches had been made, but that as far as the government was concerned such approaches are always welcome. He said that the leaders of the State had always made this point clear in speeches they have made and that in fact they have frequently issued invitations for reconciliation; and that if the insurgents are indeed sincere and willing to return to the legal fold they would be most welcome.

However, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said the situation of the KNU differs from the other armed ethnic groups, which have made peace with the government, in that the KNU are not free to make their own decisions and pursue their own plans and that they appear to have some persons or organizations pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Beginning from 1995 to the last peace talks held in 1996 the government and the KNU held informal talks three times and official talks four times making it a total of seven times altogether. The last talks held with the KNU were positive and very encouraging and agreement had been reached on all essential points. But after the return of the KNU leaders David Enbank, Eugene Thaike and Naw Louisa Benson as well as members of certain organizations visited the KNU camps and following these visits, the KNU convened what they termed the Ethnic Minorities Seminar and issued the Metharawhta Declaration. The Metharawhta Declaration contravened all that had been agreed to in the peace talks with the government. Then they issued an announcement to annul the Metharawhta Declaration and then again declared this second announcement to be null and void after which they again issued another announcement confirming it. If there had been no one manipulating them from behind the scenes the KNU would have soon returned to the legal fold after the last round of peace talks with the Government.

After that the KNU stepped up their acts of terror and violence. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win went on to say that many press briefings had been given on the terrorist acts of the KNU; that beginning from January 2002 to date, of the terror and violence wreaked upon simple villagers by the KNU, they were responsible for 13 cases of random shooting and destruction; that innocent civilians had been injured in 31 cases of exploding land mines; robbery of passenger cars on the highway 11 times; 5 cases where passenger vehicles had been mined; 7 cases where roads and bridges had been blown up; mining and destruction of the natural gas pipeline 7 times; destruction by time bombs 17 times and 6 cases of arson and kidnapping. In all, 42 innocent people died in these acts of violence and 156 wounded. For these reasons the people's desire is for the KNU to end this terrorism and violence and to make peace and cooperate with the government to work for the development and welfare of the whole country. What the people desire most said Maj-Gen Kyaw Win is the to end insurgency in the whole country and for the emergence of a peaceful, developed and prosperous country. The government on its part said Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, would extend a joyful welcome if the armed KNU insurgents should choose to return to the legal fold.