Myanmar defends rights record and calls for mutual respect
JAKARTA (JP): Myanmarese foreign minister U Ohn Gyaw defended his country's human rights record yesterday, defining its most important elements as the provision of food, clothing and shelter.
"Basically human rights values (in Myanmar) are like those in most Asian countries: food, clothing and shelter," Ohn Gyaw told journalists.
When asked to comment on the continuing criticism from the West over Myanmar's human rights record, Ohn Gyaw maintained that every nation has their own set values and states must respect one another.
"When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed we were not yet a member of the United Nations and we have not yet endorsed it, but at the same time we respect each and every society, be it in the West or the East, whatever their values are," he explained.
Western states are expected to put pressure on the ASEAN members to take a stronger line against Yangon when the ASEAN Regional Forum meets next week. Myanmar will be inducted today as an observer to ASEAN.
"As long as a government can give an assurance that it can provide food, clothing for the livelihood of its people and of course shelter, it must be considered to respect human rights," Ohn Gyaw said.
He added that his government's policy was to focus on the agricultural sector to boost the economy.
Ohn Gyaw was speaking at the ASEAN Secretariat here after meeting with Secretary General Ajit Singh on preparations for Myanmar's eventual membership.
When asked how soon Myanmar would like to join ASEAN, Ohn Gyaw replied: "The sooner the better."
Separately Thai foreign minister Amnuay Viravan said on his arrival here yesterday afternoon that while much media attention has been focused on it, ASEAN will not let the question of Myanmar dominate today's ministerial meeting.
"We, the members of ASEAN, believe engaging our neighboring country in a constructive manner. We do not believe in isolating our own neighbor, nor do we believe that we should impose sanctions against our own neighbor," he said.
Philippine Foreign Minister, Domingo L. Siazon, who also arrived here yesterday afternoon said that being in the same region, ASEAN does not have to take a hostile approach to the Myanmar issue.
"Some countries possibly feel that they have to shout a little bit louder so that they can be heard," he said adding that those in ASEAN feel part of a family.
"Since we are in the family we don't have to shout. We only have to whisper. We discuss everything in the family quietly but find positive solutions," he remarked after his arrival.
Meanwhile in Bangkok yesterday, Myanmarese and Thai students protested outside the Indonesian embassy against Myanmar's admittance as an observer to ASEAN.
As reported by AFP, about 25 protesters waved banners and distributed statements asking ASEAN to review its policy of constructive engagement with the Myanmarese junta.
"Constructive or destructive," and "halt foreign investment in Burma (Myanmar)," were written on their banners.
In Canberra, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Australia will raise the issue of Myanmar at the ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting which follows today's two-day ministerial meeting.
"This will be a good opportunity for (Foreign Affairs Minister) Alexander Downer to lay squarely on the table our concerns about the reluctance of Burma's ruling party to engage in dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Aung San Suu Kyi," a spokesperson said.(rid/mds)