Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar

to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations, Geneva

PRESS RELEASE

(No. 3/2007)

In response to the press release issued by the ICRC today, the Permanent Mission of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, would like to bring the following facts  to the attention of the public regarding  Myanmar's relations with the ICRC.

·        Pursuant to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a  prosthetic programme, the ICRC has established its presence in Myanmar since 1998. Apart  from its  representative office in Yangon, the ICRC was permitted to open branch offices in Kyaing Ton (Eastern Shan State), Mawlamyaing (Mon State), Pha-an (Kayin State), Mandalay and Taunggyi (Shan State).

·        The ICRC provided funds , technology and equipments to various hospitals in the country. Moreover, in 2001, it  signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the supply of clean water and upgrading of sanitation in Mon and Kayin States with the Ministries of Home Affairs and Health and the Myanmar Red Cross Society.

·        Although no legal agreement or a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Myanmar and the ICRC, the ICRC had been informally allowed  at its request to visit prisons since 1999. After the prison visits, the ICRC was expected to report back to the authorities only. During the seven years from 1999 to 2005, the ICRC  made a total of 411 visits to prisons and work camps run by the Prisons Department.

·        Despite the noble values  such as humanity, impartiality, neutrality and voluntary service which are enshrined in the ICRC's Statute, the ICRC in Myanmar in its visits to prisons and work camps pursued selectivity in choosing to meet only  certain detainees and many of them on repeated occasions.

·        In its press conference and press release today, the ICRC has publicly  disclosed alleged violations of international humanitarian law by Myanmar. This action by the ICRC tantamounts to a breach of the principles of confidentiality and neutrality which it has the obligation to respect. By violating its own principles, the mutual trust and confidence between Myanmar and ICRC have been eroded. This would have negative implications in Myanmar's cooperation with the ICRC. It also puts political pressure on Myanmar which would only be counterproductive.

·        The allegations regarding the use of prisoners as porters who were later killed  indiscriminately are no more than one sided accusations lacking any factual basis, evidence or proof.

·        Myanmar categorically rejects the groundless accusations that the Government targets civilian population. Even towards the insurgents, counter-insurgency operations are conducted only against those KNU elements that engage in terrorist activities against the civilians .

·        Myanmar also rejects  the accusation  by the ICRC that the authorities have  consistently refused to enter into  serious discussions with the ICRC.  In fact, an invitation was extended to the ICRC President  to visit Myanmar on 27 and 28 June 2007. He declined to undertake the visit citing the reason that he would not be able to meet  the Chairman of the   State   Peace   and  Development Council  who was unavailable due to his busy schedule of engagements and commitments. He, however, indicated that he would  dispatch the Director - General of the ICRC and  asked that the Director-General be  received by the    Secretary - 1 of the State Peace and Development Council  and acting Prime Minister. Myanmar agreed to receive the Director-General and informed that he would meet the Minister for Home Affairs whose Ministry acts as the focal point for the ICRC's activities in Myanmar. This was also turned down.  The ICRC's insistence that  their representative meet Leaders  of the State higher than that of Ministerial level resulted in the lack of any meeting between the two sides.

Myanmar categorically rejects the accusations made by the ICRC in its press release issued today .

Geneva, 29 June 2007