World Affairs

Vol. 5, Number 2 (April-June 2001)

Myanmar Enters The New Century

 

For many decades Myanmar was considered incommunicado with the rest of the world. This interview with His Excellency U Win Aung, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Union of Myanmar freely discusses the developing linkages with its neighbouring countries. The Minister also deals with efforts to move Myanmar towards multiparty democratic processes and the country’s emerging relationship with the wider human family.

 

World Affairs (WA): Since its freedom from colonial rule, Myanmar has gone through a series of significant political changes. In this process how has the foreign policy evolved? What are the broad outlines and thrusts of such policy today?

U Win Aung (UWA): When Myanmar gained independence from colonial rule two events shaped our foreign policy: the Communist insurrection of March 1945 and the pro-western Kayin rebellion in September 1948.

The potential of external support to the internal situation posed a real threat. Thus it became evident that we should steer clear of both the eastern and western bloc.

The other significant consideration was the urgent need for our country to forge a strong sense of national unity and solidarity as Myanmar is home to 135 national races. The interaction of these different national races moving towards national synthesis, constitutes a continuing theme in our recorded history.

The agenda of nation-building remained to be accomplished at independence. This challenge compelled our country to focus on genuine independence. Our foreign policy evolved in the context of these external and internal conditions.

The broad outline of such policy today is that Myanmar maintains friendly relations with all countries of the world, particularly with our immediate neighbours and with countries in the region, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. The five principles form the main pillars of our foreign policy. We also uphold the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Of late Myanmar’s entry into ASEAN, we believe, has contributed to regional peace and stability. In a similar context, Myanmar also became a member of, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand-Economic Cooperation (BIMST-EC), the regional economic grouping in 1997.

WA: Myanmar has recently become a member of ASEAN and of BIMST-EC and these links have opened up various other possibilities for expansion of cultural and trade relationships between the countries of the region. How do you view this movement of events in our region in the long-term future of Asia?

UWA: In accordance with the reality of the times, Myanmar resumed its place in NAM in August 1992, became a member of ASEAN in July 1997 and later the same year became a member of the regional economic grouping BIMST-EC. The geographical location of Myanmar is such that it is a land bridge that connects the countries of ASEAN and the Indian subcontinent.

In recent time, we have witnessed exchange of visits at the highest level among the countries of these regions. Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Vietnam in January 2001, the Vietnamese President visited China in December 2000, Mr Jaswant Singh visited Vietnam and Laos in November 2000, the Indian President visited Singapore in November 2000 and General Maung Aye visited India in November 2000. More recently, Mr Jaswant Singh was in Myanmar in February 2001.

India’s ‘Look East Policy’ has paid dividends not only for India but also for the countries of Southeast Asia. The countries of the region will benefit from India with regard to Information Technology.

Another venture which deserves mention is the Ganga-Mekong Swarnabhoomi project which was launched by Mr Jaswant Singh, the Indian External Affairs Minister, when he visited Laos in November 2000. The project is aimed at strengthening the link between India and the Mekong basin countries especially in the areas of tourism, education and culture. It will improve communication links between India and the Mekong region and include such projects as the trans-Asian railway line. The project would also provide an impetus to strengthening political ties within ASEAN. Our deep commitment to strengthening relations between countries of ASEAN and the BIMST-EC will help promote understanding and friendship and reduce tensions within the region and beyond.

WA: During the colonial period, India and Myanmar were one country. They were separated in 1937. For millennia there has been a deep and abiding spiritual and cultural stream flowing between the two countries. We share the psychic connections with our sacred places spread across the subcontinent, including Myanmar. How do you value such connections in the evolution of the broad socio-politico-techno-economic policies of Myanmar and of our mutual relationships?

UWA: It is a known fact that our fundamental beliefs and cultural aspirations are deeply rooted. Myanmar is a country where the overwhelming population profess Buddhism. We have a special affinity for India as Lord Buddha was born there. We are grateful that it has been possible for our pilgrims to visit the sacred Buddhist shrines in India. Our common cultural and religious heritage, as well as the geographical contiguity, I believe, will contribute to the development of our countries and the prosperity of our peoples.

WA: India and Myanmar have complementary economies and can, if properly integrated over the years, contribute vastly to our economic relationship. Have any steps been explored or identified to expand these relationships – such as further expansion of trade in energy or making use of India’s vast and modern technology base?

UWA: Today, with the advent of globalisation, developing countries face the threat of being marginalised. We in Myanmar, notwithstanding the constraints, are striving so that we too can enjoy the economic and technological progress. A decade has gone by since we implemented the market-oriented economic policy. It is now gaining momentum with the growth of the private sector. The state accords top priority to the improvement of the infrastructure of the country. The private sector is involved in agriculture as well as in small and medium scale industries.

Groundwork to promote economic co-operation between the two countries was initiated during the visit of General Maung Aye, Vice Chairman of the state Peace and Development Council, to India in November 2000. The two sides discussed such projects as the Tamanthi hydro-electric project and the Kaladan river navigation, road and gas pipeline project. They agreed to take steps to expedite ongoing feasibility studies. India also agreed to extend US $15 million credit to Myanmar in November. The earlier credit of US $10 million provided by India was utilised by Myanmar for setting up industrial plants and for supply of railway rolling stock. The new credit line will be used for sourcing industrial and electrical equipment from India. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the Government of India is assisting Myanmar in training scholars in various technical institutes in India. A number of them are in the IT sector.

During the visit of H.E. Shri Jaswant Singh to Myanmar for the inauguration of the Tamu-Kalay road, a new remote sensing and data processing centre was opened with India’s assistance. The expertise gained will assist Myanmar in its development efforts. The Centre, the first of its kind in Myanmar, will play a vital role in the processing and disseminating data from Indian satellites.

I would venture to say that exchange of high-level visits help to build understanding and promote closer co-operation between our two countries. The future looks promising for our bilateral relations.

WA: Most of our information on emerging political arrangements in Myanmar comes from non-Myanmar sources. It will be of interest for our international readership to have the viewpoint of the Myanmar government on issues such as re-establishment of multiparty democracy and related developments? We understand that talks are taking place between Daw Aung San Su Kyi and some representatives of Government since October last year. Could you tell us about the progress achieved so far and the main issues under discussion?

UWA: The establishment of a democratic society in Myanmar is the cherished goal of the people. Foundations are being laid for a democratic system. The system will reflect the aspirations of all 135 national races of the country. While laying the groundwork for a multiparty democratic system, the Government regards itself as a transitional government for the benefit and interest of the people and the nation. In other words, it is in the process of establishing and founding national unity, peace, stability and all-round development in the country in order that Myanmar shall become a peaceful, prosperous, modern and developed nation.

With this in mind, the National Convention has been meeting with the aim of laying down fundamental principles to be enshrined in the future constitution. Political parties and representatives from different strata of society are taking part in the deliberation of the Convention. The Government firmly believes that consensus will be achieved for a system which will ensure enduring peace and stability in the country.

In this perspective, it is also important for the political parties to abide by the existing laws of the country. The government does not interfere with activities of the political parties when they pursue their work within the law. As already explained we are dedicated to a multiparty democratic form of government. It will be one best suited to the conditions of the country. We are working to promote national unity. We seek the co-operation of all. As you are no doubt aware, direct contacts with Daw Aung San Su Kyi have been established since October 2000. Both sides are congnisant of the importance of the contacts and have agreed to keep the process confidential.

WA: Both our countries have been victims of insurgencies in our border regions. Can our co-operation help to resolve some of these problems?

UWA: Myanmar shares a land border of about 832 miles with India. I wish to emphasise here that the institutional mechanisms relating to border management are working well and that regular interaction between Myanmar-Indian civilian and military authorities concerned with border management would contribute towards establishing security and tranquillity in the border areas.

During the exchange of visits between General Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Army) and General V P Malik, Chief of Army Staff of India, in January 2000, both sides discussed ways to enhance co-operation and promote regular exchanges between the two armed forces including in the field of training. The two sides also discussed measures to improve communications between Myanmar and Indian forces deployed along the common border. Both sides noted the importance of co-operation for maintaining of peace and security along the common border. Neither side would allow its territory to be used by negative elements or third parties for hostile action against the other.

WA: A new road has been launched between India and Myanmar. What, in your opinion, is its significance for our border security, development and trade? Are there further plans for the expansion of this project?

UWA: The new Tamu-Kalaywa-Kalay road inaugurated on February 13, 2001 is a highway of friendship. It is a symbol of the close co-operation between two neighbouring countries. The new road will help promote economic development and co-operation based on our common desire to have good relations between our countries and to uplift the socio-economic standards of the national races living along the border. Good communication and ease of transport will not only enhance security but will also spur the movement of goods between the border region and the interior of the country.

There are plans for the expansion of this project. The Monywa-Alon-Yargyi-Myoma-Kalaywa Road project which is already underway, will be of great benefit to the people living in the area. Since Monywa is well connected through an existing highway to Mandalay, the commercial centre for upper and middle Myanmar, we may see the region develop and prosper within a short span of time.

WA: It is believed that there are large energy, oil, gas and other resources in and around Myanmar. What are the possibilities of their development in the near future and what are the likely sources of co-operation you visualise in this process?

UWA: Since 1989, the Ministry of Energy has invited multinational companies to participate in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in Myanmar onshore and offshore areas, in co-operation with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise on a production sharing basis. Possibilities for the development of crude oil and natural gas look promising. In the onshore area, a total of 46 blocks have been demarcated and a total of 25 blocks in the offshore area.

Currently there are a good number of multinational companies operating in both the onshore as well as offshore blocks. Multinational companies operating in onshore blocks come from Australia, Indonesia, British Virgin Islands, Canada and UK.

Multinational companies operating in offshore blocks come from South Korea (Daewoo Corporation), Malaysia (Genting Oil and Gas Ltd), France (Total and TMEP), and UK (Premier).

WA: What is the nature of the recent conflict that took place on your border with Thailand?

UWA: The situation on the Myanmar-Thai border has not been reported accurately by the international media.

Myanmar and Thailand are neighbouring countries with extensive trade and commercial ties. They cooperate closely in international and regional fora such as ASEAN and BIMST-EC. As they share a common boundary of over 1300 miles, it is quite normal that problems sometimes occur at the local level. The management of the border is at times complicated by the presence of armed insurgent groups and narcotic traffickers. These groups have been taking advantage of the well-known policy of Myanmar to ensure that shells and bullets do not stray into neighbouring Thailand and they have been operating along the border.

What occurred recently on the border with Thailand was that the Myanmar armed forces, in its continuing effort to eradicate narcotic drugs, launched a campaign against the SURA drug trafficking group. During the campaign, great care was exercised by the Myanmar side to ensure that shells did not fall inside Thai territory. The situation was complicated by the supporting fire coming from the Thai side of the border. The reports that Myanmar troops intruded Thai territory are untrue. Myanmar has no aggressive intention whatsoever towards its neighbours. In fact, Myanmar troops are under strict orders not to encroach the territory of neighbouring countries. On February 12, 2001, the Myanmar town of Tachilek was struck by shells coming from the Thai side of the border causing the death of three innocent civilians and wounding 15 others. A monastery, a church, three shops, three motor vehicles and seven houses were damaged in the attack. This act was preceded by an attack launched by SURA against Myanmar troops on February 11, 2001 causing the death of four soldiers and wounding five. In the event, Myanmar forces were compelled to return fire in self-defence. Myanmar troops at no time fired upon populated areas.

The situation in the border region has improved following the successful Regional Border Committee meeting of the two countries held in Kyainge Tong, Myanmar, in early April 2001. The two sides agreed to co-ordinate efforts to eradicate drug trafficking which led to tensions in the border areas.

Myanmar would like to see peace and friendship reign along our borders. It has always been our policy to reduce tensions by making big issues smaller and to ensure that small ones are completely resolved.

WA: What is Myanmar’s view on the Kashmir conflict between India and Pakistan? And also the growing fundamentalist terrorism in our region.

UWA: Myanmar is a friend of both India and Pakistan. Therefore, Myanmar does not wish to see India and Pakistan go to war again over Kashmir. We abhor violence, the shedding of blood and the killing of innocent people in conflicts all over the world.

The only hope for the people of Kashmir is the peaceful resolution of the crisis and we know that this cannot be achieved without the active participation of parties to the conflict. We hope that peace and tranquillity will reign in the valley of Kashmir.

Myanmar is against all forms of terrorism. We will never allow terrorism in any guise to use our territory as a springboard for attacks against neighbouring countries. We will, with all our might and resources, curb and deter terrorism.

WA: The ILO has advised its members to take action against Myanmar, including through the imposition of sanctions, on grounds that Myanmar is allegedly using forced labour. There is likely to be a move to put this matter on the agenda to ECOSOC in July this year. How does Myanmar propose to deal with these adverse developments and is there a likelihood of your inviting another ILO mission to Myanmar for further discussion?

UWA: One unhappy episode we encountered last year was the decision taken by the ILO Governing Body to activate the measures against Myanmar which were stipulated in the resolution adopted at the Eighty-eighth Session of the International Labour Conference 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 made by Myanmar in placing necessary legislative, administrative and executive frameworks as recommended by the Eighty-Eighth ILC.

This discriminatory and unfair action leaves us no choice but to discontinue our co-operation with ILO. However, we will carry on fulfilling our obligations as a responsible and dutiful member of the international community. We would like to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to many of our friends and like-minded countries who took a principled stand against this unwarranted and unjustified action by the Governing Body.

Again, we are working tirelessly and co-ordinating with our friends and like-minded countries for any eventuality that may arise if this matter is put on the agenda of ECOSOC in July this year.

As the ILO Governing Body’s decision is totally unjust and unreasonable, we have declared that owing to this coercion, Myanmar will no longer co-operate with ILO in relation to the ILO Convention 29, though it co-operated with the ILO with goodwill in the past.