Developments in the Union of Myanmar
Developments in the Union of Myanmar
The Union of Myanmar, presently is a country in a state of change and transformation. Fundamental changes have taken place in the country. The single party system and the centrally planned economic system have been abandoned in favor of multi-party system with a market-oriented economy. As a result of over a decade of strenuous efforts in nation building and national reconstruction, Myanmar is now enjoying unprecedented peace and stability and is poised to achieve great progress and development.
National Reconciliation
As Myanmar is a Union composed of 135 different national races, the fundamental problem of the country is the preservation of unity among its national races to prevent disintegration.
Because of the century-long divide and rule policy of the colonial power, Myanmar had to face the problem of numerous insurgencies immediately after its independence. After assumption of state responsibilities, the present Government has placed national reconsolidation as one of its top priorities as it believes that unity is the very lifeblood of the nation.
By demonstrating sincerity, goodwill and patience, the Government was able to gain the confidence of the armed groups and 17 out of 18 armed groups have already returned to the legal fold and have joined hands with the Government in the development of their respective regions. In other words, the Government is able to achieve successfully what the previous Governments were never able to do in its history since regaining of the independence in 1948. The Government is still extending an olive branch to the remaining armed group.
Thus for the first time in more than 50 years, internal insurgency, which had plagued the country since independence, has now practically come to an end. The guns of insurgency have now fallen virtually silent. Peace and stability prevail in almost every corner of the nation, giving development a chance.
This constitutes a truly unprecedented political achievement and a great leap forward in the consolidation of national unity. Towards a Multi-party Democratic State
Myanmar's national goal is to become a peaceful, prosperous, modern and developed State. Towards this end, Myanmar is striving to establish a multi-party democratic political system with a market-oriented economic foundation and a harmonious society where people enjoy material as well as spiritual and moral well- being.
A steady course has been charted towards the cherished goal of a peaceful democratic society that is in keeping with the conditions of the country. The world is full of examples where a hasty transition from one system to another has resulted in chaos, disruptions and violence. The Government therefore believes that the transition to a new system cannot be done in haste or in a haphazard manner. Although the armed groups had returned to the legal fold, they are still holding on to their arms. Thus, great care is being taken to ensure that the country's transition is peaceful, smooth and effective.
In fact, the Government is laying down the firm foundation for a democratic system best suited to the country so that successive Governments, which will emerge under the new constitution, will not have difficulty in overcoming future challenges. With the recent developments in Myanmar, the political climate in the country is moving towards the direction that is conducive to national reconciliation.
Efforts for Eradication of Narcotic Drugs
In Myanmar the problem of narcotic drugs is a legacy of its colonial past. It was the colonialists that introduced opium into the country. As history vividly shows, forces beyond the Government's control contributed to this state of affairs. The Government, however, regards the suppression of narcotic drugs as a national task and a top priority and is fully committed to combating the scourge of narcotic drugs. The sacrifice of hundreds of its security personnel in anti-narcotics operations demonstrates the genuine seriousness of the Government in combating the drugs menace.
The present Government has made considerable headway in the suppression of narcotic drugs and reduction of opium production. To achieve this it has tackled the problem in a holistic manner including strengthening of legislation and enhancement of law enforcement capacity. These measures have been taken together with a development program to provide alternative livelihood to the people in the far-flung areas.
Myanmar has been implementing a 15-year Master Plan covering the period from 1999 to 2014 for total eradication of poppy cultivation in cooperation with those national groups, which have signed peace accords with the government. The Plan is now operating and in full swing in 51 townships in the Shan, Chin, Kachin and Kayah States. As the drugs problem is a transnational issue, Myanmar has signed memoranda of understanding for cooperation in narcotics suppression with all its neighbors.
The Government's efforts are bearing fruits as former opium cultivators are now co-operating with the government in its anti- narcotics measures. Several areas have been declared opium-free zones and poppy cultivators have turned to alternative crops.
Stepped-up law enforcement measures have resulted in increased seizure of narcotic drugs and drastic decline in poppy cultivation and production, which was recently recognized by the United Nations.
Yet, Myanmar's serious efforts in fighting this global menace are unnecessarily hampered by lack of international cooperation. With enhanced international cooperation, Myanmar's goal to declare the country drug-free by the year 2015 will be achieved more expeditiously.
Cooperation with the United Nations
Myanmar firmly believes in the purposes and principles of the United Nations. As such cooperation with the United Nations is and has always been one of the cornerstones of Myanmar's foreign policy.
Myanmar has made every effort to cooperate with the UN in all fields, especially in the field of promoting human rights. Myanmar continues its positive dialogue with the United Nations through his Special Envoy Mr. Razali Ismail, who has paid his ninth visit to the country in November 2002. The Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights Paulo Sergio Pinheiro was also accorded full and unhindered cooperation during his visits to Myanmar. The Government has also been cooperating with ICRC by allowing access to prisons through out the country to observe at first-hand the situation in the prisons.
The Government has also accepted the appointment of an ILO liaison officer in Myanmar as agreed between Myanmar and ILO. A high level technical cooperation mission from ILO has been invited to visit Myanmar in the near future. These developments demonstrate the Government's seriousness in cooperation with the ILO to address the issue of forced labor.
Moreover, the Government embarked on a human rights initiative after forming a National Human Rights Committee in April 2000. The Committee has been organizing a series of workshops and seminars with the cooperation of the Australian Government to disseminate information on human rights standards for public officials as well as a wide range of citizens.
Regardless of these positive developments, Myanmar continues to be a target of various allegations, which are entirely based on information coming from insurgent groups and expatriates with a hidden political agenda. Where human rights are concerned, the Government does not condone any human rights violations. The Government has been striving hard to promote economic and social progress and better standards of its people and, in this process, made considerable progress in fulfilling the people's fundamental rights to adequate food, shelter and clothing. Developments on Economic Front
Having restored national reconsolidation, peace and stability, the Government is in a position to devote its time and resources more on building the economic groundwork for all-round development of the nation. When the Government took over the reign of the State in 1988, the country was in total chaos and on the verge of disintegration, the economy had broken down completely and the foreign reserves virtually exhausted. However, with the adoption of a series of bold economic reform measures, the Government has successfully managed to turn around the situation, with little or no external assistance. Central to those measures include decentralizing central control, liberalization of trade, encouraging private sector and foreign direct investment and integration into the region. This has resulted in remarkable improvement in the national economy. A comparison of the GDP constant prices of 1988/89 with that of 2000/01 will show that it have achieved an average annual growth rate of 6.5 percent during the 12-year period. Thus the Government has achieved, among other things, the significant economic progress and improvement of the living standards of the people.
The Government has also been vigorously undertaking infrastructure building on unprecedented scales throughout the country over the last decade. These include bridges over its main rivers, new roads and rail-links, airports to improve transportation and communication as well as hydropower plants, dams and networks of canals to boost industry, agriculture and rural development. The Government is relying entirely on its own resources for these nation-building endeavors, which have resulted in massive improvement in infrastructure.
Land of Opportunities
With its abundant natural resources, low operating costs and over 50 million of potential consumers, Myanmar is in an advantageous position to offer unlimited opportunities for foreign investments. Since the promulgation of Foreign Investment Law over a decade ago, Myanmar has opened its door of economic opportunities to the outside world and is inviting foreign investments in virtually all areas including agriculture, livestock and fisheries, mining, energy, forestry and last but not least tourism.
The prevailing peace and tranquility, the warmth of its friendly people, the richness in natural beauty and historic cultural sites have made the country an attractive tourist destination, which is yet known only to those who visited the country. With the Government's enhanced encouragement to promotion of tourism, potential of this dynamic sector is poised to gain further momentum in near future. As everyone who visits Myanmar can witness peace, tranquility, law and order prevail in the country where people can feel safe and secure and enjoy normal daily life in contentment.