UN Envoy holds talks with Spokes Authoritative Team of SPDC, meets NPED Minister, Foreign Minister, Religious Affairs Minister, Labour Minister, members of social organizations, representatives of national races

Nay Pyi Taw, 6 Nov - Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari arrived here via Yangon on 3 November. Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win hosted a dinner in his honour at Shwenandaw Hotel here on 3 November.

On 4 November, he called on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister for Labour U Aung Kyi, who was assigned as Minister for Relations to liaise with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, at his office, responsible personnel of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry at the City Hall here.

Mr Gambari also met with officials of Myanmar Red Cross Society and representatives of national races from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine and Shan states at the city hall yesterday.

He met with the Spokes Authoritative Team of the State Peace and Development Council at Ministry of Information here today.

He also met with U Soe Tha, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, and Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Minister for Religious Affairs, at the latter's offices here separately.

On behalf of the State Peace and Development Council, leader of the Spokes Authoritative Team of SPDC Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan clarified the situation in Myanmar at the meeting with Mr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari today.

Following is the full text of the clarification of Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan:

Clarification on Myanmar's situation to UNSG's Special Envoy

Mr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari

At this meeting, we will discuss frankly as intimate friends. Our discussions and your suggestions will be put on record and news be released.

As we have already explained at the previous meeting, ours is the Spokes Authoritative Team mandated to the task by the State Peace and Development Council. We will explain the governmental affairs. Moreover, we, on behalf of the State Peace and Development Council, will give clarification concerning your suggestions and make decisions as necessary. In our country, national affairs and policies are passed by the State Peace and Development Council and cabinet members through collective leadership under the guidance of the Head of State. Hence, our team will apply the same method in extending relations with the UN Secretariat.

The visit of Your Excellency is happily welcomed by the Myanmar people. And it is hoped that Your Excellency will provide the best advice fair and square for Myanmar's affairs as you are a well-experienced diplomat and the Special Envoy to UNSG serving the interests of the global nations.

To discuss the Myanmar's affairs, you should have thoroughly studied not only the current situation of Myanmar but also the significant facts throughout the history, we would like to suggest. In fact, Myanmar's affair is subtle and very complicated. We have over 100 national races who have been residing all over the country together since long long ago. Our nation has suffered the internal armed insurrection for many years and it is still in existence till today. Politically, we are not mature and there are a variety of parties. Thus, it would be a very serious mistake if Myanmar's affair is viewed superficially for seeking a solution like that of other nations. Hence, in addition to current situation of our country, other matters such as the nationalities' affairs, internal insurgencies, political, economic and social affairs, etc along the history are to be studied thoroughly and reviewed correctly. In this way, correct and proper review and assessment can be made.

In this context, we would like to convince that the State leaders at the helm of the nation know very well in detail about the country. They have passed through three periods namely the parliamentary democracy period, Burma Socialist Programme Party period and the Tatmadaw Government period as well as encountered and overcome internal multi-coloured insurgencies in the post-independence period, Kuomington nationalist Chinese intrusion, various events of internal insurgencies and various kinds of political crises and splits. Hence, they know very well about the current situation of Myanmar together with background history and they are well-experienced in it. Based on these experiences, they are at the helm in the best way for the nation and the people through many hardships and difficulties. We would like to convince you this fact.

And Your Excellency should seriously pay attention to the fact that the Government and the entire people are expecting your visit to be constructive for the nation and the people. However, your previous visit did not bear fruit as we had expected. The presidential statement of UNSC, the further sanctions of US and EU, the sanction of Australia, etc sowed suspicions on your efforts among some of our people. If you bring along the instructions of the leaders of a big power and demands of internal and external anti-government groups, it will in no way contribute towards the seeking of solution to Myanmar's affairs. It will rather increase the existing suspicions of the people. When the suspicions lead to antagonism, the Government would not ignore the desire of the majority of the people. We would like you to understand this.

Now, the State Peace and Development Council with the aim of peacefully implementing the democratic reforms in accord with the seven-point Road Map and harmoniously striving for peace, stability and progress of the nation has issued the Announcement No (1/2007) to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Announcement No (2/2007) to assign the Minister for Relations to ensure smooth relations with her. Minister for Relations U Aung Kyi has already met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 25-10-2007. He is going to hold further meetings with her.

Based on the four major plans, the government exerted endeavours for national development and improvement of the food, clothing and shelter needs of the people. These endeavours are achieving unprecedented success. Due to the endeavours, our nation has witnessed concrete developments in economy and significant improvement in living standard.

The government, in combating poverty, is also taking into account the improvement of human development indicators, the creation of more occupational and educational opportunities and so on, in addition to increasing income. The aforesaid border area development project, the 24 special development zones project and the five rural development tasks are being implemented on self-reliant basis to realize the UN's Millenium Development Goals.

Anti-government groups, global powers that are supporting them and even some UN officials are slandering the government's efforts to implement the task including our Millenium Development Goals to develop the people's socio-economy. We openly say that we cannot accept such biased slanders. In reality, not only the developing countries like ours but also the developed countries are also facing the problem of poverty which is an international dilemma. So our country may have a few problems of poverty. It is true that the national economy and public socio-economy are not developing as they should even though the government has been exerting efforts. Collective attempts within and without the country to impose sanctions on investments, international financial assistance and loans, trade and tourism are one of the main causes in this matter. Now, US and EU impose further sanctions. Australia has now imposed sanctions against Myanmar. It had not involved in the sanctions before. You should understand that no other government can do better than us in such a tight-rope situation.

Imposing economic sanctions will bear rather disadvantages than advantages. Hence, you have been pointed out by regional countries, ASEAN countries and neighboring countries that constructive engagement is better than sanctions. Yet, those countries do not stop but increase the sanctions. We regret that you have not mentioned any criticism that such sanctions are not appropriate and they should be relaxed. We would like to see your stance fair and square. Instead of blaming and suggesting that a poverty alleviation commission for Myanmar only should be formed, you should play a leading role in organizing and persuading others to relieve and lift sanctions. In this way, the commission you suggested will not be required.

Our country has been facing sanctions and restrictions so we are unable to freely develop our economy. And we are being censured that our efforts are not effective. So, is it fair to put such blame on us? You should consider that those who are blocking all development and humanitarian aids with various political reasons and those who despite their knowledge that sanctions are unfair, are acting in accord with the wish of powers should also be blamed. If we receive assistance from international organizations including the UN and developed nations, our development pace will gain greater momentum and democratic reforms will reach their goal sooner.

Thanks to the efforts of the personnel responsible for peace and stability of the State and the rule of law and the assistance of the members of the Sangha and the people who are against disturbances, the protest in which the people and true monks did not take part has been under control and stability has been restored in the entire nation. So, we have already lifted the martial law order or section 144 as peace and stability is prevailing in the whole nation since situation has returned to normal. Furthermore, troops have also been withdrawn.

The government called in the persons who took part in the protest for questioning. It has been releasing as soon as possible monks and people, who joined the protesters unknowingly under the influence of instigation from all angles. In Yangon, of the 2284 persons under questioning, 2235 persons have already been released and there remain only 49 persons. In other towns, of the 643 persons who were called in for questioning, 601 have been released and only 42 remained under questioning. As the remaining persons are actually involved in violence and terrorist acts in one way or another, we are taking necessary measures to take action against them in accord with the law.

We confirm that there are no more arrests, night apprehensions and search of monasteries in connection with the incident. What I would like to inform you here is that although the disturbances that occurred in September had already ended we have been calling in some persons for questioning. But the cases do not have any connections with the disturbances. Action has been taken against some persons for their involvement in terrorism or violence or other acts to violate the law.

What I would like to continue to explain here is that the government on its part has taken necessary measures in accord with the Aids to Civil Power procedures and the existing laws in handling the disturbances. The government has already released official news reports saying that only ten persons died and another 14 wounded in the whole incident. And not a single member of the Sangha is included in the persons who died in the incident. Only one member of the Sangha was wounded and he had already been discharged from the hospital. Authorities have sent him back to his monastery. On the other hand, some foreign media are distributing exaggerated news reports as if the number of persons dead or wounded is much higher than the official list. If the accusations are authentic, complaints can be made together with names and addresses. The government has been providing intense care to the persons who were wounded in the incident. Moreover, under the active role of the Myanmar Human Rights Committee, many organizations such as the Myanmar Red Cross Society, the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, etc are also providing assistance to them.

Regarding the recent incidents in August and September, international media neglected the true facts and made exaggerations as desired by the anti-government groups. In 1988 disturbances also, all attempts were made through the might of foreign media to tarnish the image of our nation. Due to the one-sided broadcasts of some media, Myanmar was affected by having its image tarnished among the world's nations. Hence, to address the Myanmar's affairs, coordination and cooperation should be based not only on news coverage of international media but also on actual situation and conditions of our country. In this way, just and correct solution can be achieved.

In addition to constantly cooperating with the UN, our nation has been maintaining cordial relations with all countries, regional and global. Our nation's situation is not even threatening the region, let alone international stability and security. The ASEAN countries, NAM countries and the neighboring countries have agreed that Myanmar's internal situations do not pose any threat to the region. Actually we do have some internal problems, but they are not in a position to harm international and regional peace and security. However, Western countries that have the intention of finding fault with and exert pressures on our nation have been applying various means to present Myanmar affairs to the UNSC to adopt a Resolution. They exerted pressures till the UNSC Presidential statement had to be issued.

Although we pay serious attention to the good offices of UNSG in Myanmar affairs, we object the act of putting Myanmar affairs on the UNSC agenda without seeing any threat to regional and international peace and security. If the Myanmar affairs are to be put on the UNSC agenda and the UNSC is going to handle them, the body will also have to handle the situations of the nations similar to or worse than Myanmar's. Even in the South Asia and Southeast Asia, there are some nations in which the Armed Forces have to take over the State duties due to certain reasons, martial law is still in force, hundreds of people died when protests were crushed and hundreds of people including children were killed when mosques were raided.

It is obvious that the situations in some countries in the Middle East and Central Asia are far worse than that in Myanmar. I don't think it is fair that pressures and force are being applied on Myanmar without addressing the problems of those countries.

What we have heard is that the government's action to permit Your Excellency and Mr Pinheiro to visit Myanmar and its endeavours for national re-consolidation have never been considered to be a progress, but as a concession the government has to make due to international pressures; and that there are more pressures and calls for them. We want to clearly state that the government exerts efforts in the interest of the nation and the people on its own will and not due to any pressure or sanction. I would like to point out that the previous pressures and sanctions did not provide any assistance to our democratization process, and nor did the new pressures and sanctions of the US and EU.

Actually, the Tatmadaw has been striving for the emergence of discipline-flourishing genuine democracy in Myanmar since 1988. It has been implementing the task not because of anyone's urge or pressure, but because of the will to serve the interest of the nation and the people best in every aspect. So, if you wish to see democracy flourishing in Myanmar you should try to persuade other nations to cooperate with us in assisting the task. Here, what we would like to say is that we will welcome positive coordination and cooperation for Myanmar affairs, but will never accept any interference that may harm our sovereignty. I would like you to know that Myanmar is a small nation and if a big power bullies her with its influence by putting Myanmar's affairs on UNSC, we will have no other way but to face and endure.

We have noted that you have visited regional and neighboring countries before coming to Myanmar. And we have noted what you have said during the visits. We have also heard the media saying as though you were drumming up pressures on Myanmar government. But we believe that an experienced envoy like you will never speak like that.

What we have understood is that good office of the UN Secretariat is to act as facilitator or mediator for bringing about discussions between the two sides. You should not force or pressure us by harming the role of UN to shape us as aspired by a big power. If so, your role of negotiator will be spoiled, we are worried.

Seeking of solution to Myanmar's affairs should be home-grown one based on prevailing situation. At present, it is found that one-sided pressure is put on the Government according to the wishes of anti-government groups while ignoring the desire of the majority of the people. Moreover, the Government's endeavours are not recognized as developments. Instead of solving the Myanmar's affairs within the country, efforts are being made to shape Myanmar into the form stipulated by big countries and drumming up other nations to put pressures on us. If the means of putting external pressure on Myanmar continues, we could no longer accept it. The majority of the people will support and applause your fair and square performance only. If your process is unfair and one-sided, the people would see it as biased pressure on Myanmar. We are worried that because of the said public view, your opportunity to play a constructive role in the matter may be in harm's way. You should be aware of the fact that there are certain countries and organizations trying to misuse your efforts to apply more pressures on Myanmar.

Anyhow, Myanmar people have understood the objective conditions and are supporting the government with full trust in it. Till now, the government has been gaining progress in successfully implementing democratic reforms. It will continue to march till reaching the democracy goal without fail. In this regard, we hope to receive good advice from the UN Secretariat as well as from Your Excellency. We also hope that as you have already visited Myanmar for three times and met with persons deemed necessary, you have known Myanmar's delicate and complicated political situation to a certain degree. Finally, we are confident that you will be able to give good advice and cooperation that are in conformity with our prevailing situation while putting aside the pressures some powers are putting on the UN.

Thank you.

Suggestions of Mr Gambari

Next, Mr Gambari expressed thanks to the Government and the people for hospitality as well as arrangements for important meetings for him during this visit. He also expressed thanks to the Minister for Information for his frank clarifications in detail. And he would also discuss frankly and brotherly, he said. Before coming to Myanmar, he met with UNSG Mr Ban Ki-moon at Istanbul of Turkey, he said. He went on to say that he conveyed a message from the UNSG to Head of State Senior General Than Shwe and he asked the Minister to convey that message to the Head of State.

He mentioned that the lifting of curfew recently by the Government to relieve tensions, the release of detainees and taking of initial steps for meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi were welcomed and recognised as developments. He would submit it to UNSG and UNSC after arriving back to UN, he said. He also expressed his satisfaction for having opportunities to meet with not only governmental officials but also representatives of national races and civil societies. He would also meet political parties and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He said that he was pleased as the Minister for Foreign Affairs while meeting with him reaffirmed that to cooperate with the UN is the cornerstone of Myanmar's foreign policy. As the good office of UNSG is now involving in Myanmar's affairs, the appointments of nation-wise special envoys proposed by some nations are no longer required, he observed. The cooperation with the UN would decrease pressures from surrounding and some nations, he said. Due to the mentioning in his report, the attitude and opinions of UK and France have become flexible, he said. He continued to say that ASEAN countries, China, Japan and India which he had visited did not prefer sanctions against Myanmar. Those countries encouraged and supported the constructive engagement and he had reported this matter to the UNSG, he said. He would also submit that matter at the forthcoming East Asia Summit, he said. He suggested to start meetings with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as early as possible. When he met with her, he asked her to be flexible and not to look back the past but to look ahead by doing what should be done in the interests of the nation, he recounted. He suggested to lift restrictions against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as soon as possible. Mr Gambari also suggested to consider whether it is appropriate or not for arranging the meeting of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Aung Kyi who has been assigned duties to liaise with her and himself. He also suggested to release the remaining persons who were called in for questioning regarding the recent protests except those against whom action was to be taken.

He also suggested that he would like to meet with some members of the Constitution Drafting Commission and discuss how views and opinions of those who did not attend the National Convention can be made inclusive in drafting the Constitution. He continuted to suggest that poverty alleviation commission like 3-D fund should be established. He found that the foreign minister of France had also suggested to set up a similar fund.

He also mentioned that he as well as UNSG did not reject the seven-step Road Map and what he would like to suggest were inclusiveness and time frame. He said he wished to see Myanmar as peaceful, developed and democracy-flourishing nation and he requested for understanding his constructive suggestions.

In his clarification, Leader of the Spokes Authoritative Team of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said: thank you very much for your frank discussions. We have already mentioned our attitude in the clarification as to the forming of the Poverty Alleviation Commission. The main problem is that our country can not make progress as much as it should since the US and EU imposed a series of sanctions on her. It is like one being forced to run after being tied with rope. As he is being tied with rope he will not be able to run as fast as he can. In the same way, they are blaming the country for lack of development, lower income and poverty while imposing sanctions on her. If they are doing so, they will not get the right answer. And all the sanctions are to be lifted and cooperation is to be made. Only then, the alleviation of such poverty will be possible. Hence, the lifting of sanctions is a must.

As regards the lifting of restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the Spokes Authoritative Team said that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was put under restrictions for the first time in 1989 as she created unrest like the 1988 disturbances. During her restrictions, the Head of State met her twice and explained prevailing situations of the nation and the prospect of cooperation. And then, the restrictions on her were lifted. However, a day after the restrictions were lifted she stated that choose either dialogue or utter devastation. And she was put under restrictions again, for she stuck to imposing of sanctions on the nation, course of confrontation and utter devastation.

During her second restrictions, the Head of State met her four times and a team led by a minister ten times. As the understanding between the two sides was reached the restrictions on her was lifted. This time also, a team led by a minister met her three times. As she continued perpetrating acts leading to unrest she was again put under restrictions. At present, the government has already issued Announcement No 1/2007. The contents of the announcement are the basis for all conditions.

Out of those who were called in for questioning, all those who merely got involved in the recent protest have been released. The remaining persons are those who are being questioned concerning with the seizure of explosives. Of them, those who are not involved in bombing and terrorism will be released. We pay serious attention to your suggestions. Regarding the tripartite meeting among you, U Aung Kyi and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Aung Kyi met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi only one time. So, currently, the tripartite meeting will not be possible.

With regard to considering the attitude of those organizations that did not take part in the National Convention in the drafting of the State constitution, the delegates to the National Convention unanimously approved the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles and the State constitution is to be drawn on the basis of the fundamental principles and detailed basic principles without harming the original essence. Those who did not take part in the National Convention will have the right to express their attitudes and to freely cast votes at the referendum, the fourth step. If the Constitution had been approved by the people, they would have had the right to form parties in accord with the law in proper time, to stand election and to carry out organizational work. This is the right for all the people to enjoy.

He said if Mr Gambari wishes to see the members of the Commission for Drafting the State Constitution, he can meet Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint and him as they are members of the commission.

The minister told the guest about the government's efforts for national reconsolidation and attempts to disrupt such efforts. Although the government made the announcement No 1/2007 for national reconsolidation, the government had not received any response from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The government assigned duties to the Minister for Relations who met her. As the government made efforts in building national reconsolidation, it was necessary for the other side to give response to such measure. The minister asked Mr Gambari to explain this point to her.

The minister said the government tried to build national reconsolidation in cooperation not only with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi but with other organizations. As a result, the government has made peace with 17 major armed groups and 23 small groups. Among the groups, some unconditionally abandoned armed insurgency. During the previous trip, Mr Gambari had opportunities to visit some regions where there prevailed peace and regional developments were made. There were many difficulties in building national reconsolidation. Expatriate groups and other countries threatened or dissuaded the peace groups and there were even assassination attempts. Members of KNU Brigade-7 led by Maj-Gen Htay Maung and battalions under the brigade that tried to make peace with the government and all agreed to return to the legal fold. However, only some managed to return to the legal fold because the secret groups of a big nation, some organizations from other country and the expatriates intimidated and stopped the groups.

Similar events also happened among the national race armed groups that have returned to the legal fold. The Member of KNU Central Committee, Phado U Aung San, who Mr Gambari has once met, while he was planning to enter the legal fold, a big power persuaded him to serve as KNU adviser in that country by promising him a luxury car and a house. But their instigation was unknown to the world and there was no opposition and criticism. Likewise, government efforts for building national reconsolidation were ignored. Therefore, I would like both you and UN Secretariat to make the world know our efforts as well as the acts to hamper those efforts.

Anyhow, thanks to our efforts, the majority of national races, the people and political parties have built national reconsolidation. The proof is the successful completion of the National Convention and mass rallies that are being staged across the country in support of the forthcoming constitution. There are a few people opposing the government's policies. So, the UN should consider the wishes of the majority.

The government does not keep the door to democracy transition closed for those opposing it. As mentioned above, they will be allowed to participate in the referendum and elections according to the seven-step Road Map.

Discussions of Mr Gambaria

Mr Gambari replied that he thanked for the response to his explanation and for letting him know the follow-up procedures; that regarding the Poverty Alleviation Commission, the government considered that the sanctions should be lifted first; that some nations said that they would lift their sanctions only when there had been remarkable progress in Myanmar; that it was needed to coordinate to settle the disagreement in that regard; that he would tell Daw Aung San Suu Kyi what the Minister had explained to him when he met her; that he would try to achieve positive responses from her; that what was important was that the two sides marched forward without considering past events; that the countries he had visited did not oppose the seven-step Road Map; that those countries had suggested to seek ways for all to participate in the processes and to set a time frame; and that opinions on the forthcoming constitution should be taken into consideration in the time of drafting it rather than in the time of the referendum.

He added that when he got back, he would submit the government's efforts to regain national reconsolidation; that both the nations he had visited and he accepted the fact that it was needed to shape democratic process that was in conformity with the conditions of Myanmar; that his suggestion was just to ensure participation of all in the seven-step Road Map and to set a time frame.

The meeting ended at 12 noon.