YouSaid · the spoken record

Ohn Gyaw

lines on the record: 64
first: 1996-09-24
most recent: 1998-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Any government, institution or individual seeking to promote human rights should bear in mind the significance of national and regional peculiarities as well as historical, cultural and religious backgrounds and the stage of economic development. In Myanmar and other developing countries, poverty remains an effective obstacle to the full enjoyment of those rights. For this reason we are redoubling our efforts to ensure our peoples’ right to development so that they can be delivered from the clutches of poverty. The allegations that wholesale repressive measures are being carried out in Myanmar have never been borne out. On the contrary, the peace and stability that now reign in the country have allowed it to achieve significant progress. Continued economic reform will positively affect the living standards of all citizens.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The ancient kings had the vision to protect teak forests by royal decree and to ensure systematic management of forest resources. In the three years following the World Conference on Human Rights, increasing emphasis has been placed on the promotion and protection of human rights. While we can welcome the spirit in which the question of human rights is considered, we are seriously concerned by the growing tendency of certain Western countries to politicize the question of human rights and to use it as a tool to interfere in the domestic affairs of States. We firmly believe that the international community should take a more holistic approach to the question of human rights and not be preoccupied with individual rights and freedoms.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“For this reason we have been endeavouring to contribute to the protection and promotion of the environment at every level. In developing countries like Myanmar, forests, farmlands, fisheries and freshwater constitute the foundation of development. In Myanmar we are fortunate that these resources are abundant and are not under stress. This is largely the result of the traditional culture that pervades daily life. Planting trees, creating gardens and parks, building bridges, digging wells, and providing rest houses and monasteries are considered meritorious deeds. The people of Myanmar love and respect nature and seek to live in harmony with the environment. The history of Myanmar is replete with accounts of environmental conservation carried out by Myanmar monarchs.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“The tremendous growth in population, coupled with industrial development in every region of the world, has taxed the carrying capacity of the Earth. The struggle even to support the present population at today’s standards of living will cause environmental degradation on an unprecedented scale. However, in the last few years seeds of hope have been sown, as there is growing awareness in the world that the causes and consequences of environmental degradation transcend boundaries and that our future world must be one of partnership. 17 Myanmar is aware that different elements of ecological systems are linked. It is only through an integrated approach at the national, regional and global levels that we can achieve sustainable development.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We are confident that this unprecedented achievement will result in a drastic reduction of the opium supply. I should like to firmly reiterate Myanmar’s commitment to the total eradication of poppy plantations in our country. The sheer magnitude of the problem requires new ways and means to address the problem. There must be additional efforts to curb demand, just as we work to deter production and trafficking. We would welcome increased support for our national programmes or for development projects administered by UNDCP. Environment issues are among the most widely discussed topics of our times. Environment and development top the international agenda as human impact on the environment has increased dramatically and mankind faces challenges unprecedented in scope and severity.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Hence, the Government has set up an entire ministry devoted to the development of border areas. The development of these areas will no doubt ensure the success of the eradication campaign. In parallel with the national effort, the Government has sought closer cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and neighbouring countries, and is actively participating in the international campaign against the production and trafficking of illicit drugs. Our efforts are meeting with success, as one armed group after another has returned to the fold to join hands with the Government in development endeavours. An encouraging event this year was the unconditional surrender of the Mong Tai Army of nearly 20,000 men, led by U Khun Sa.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“It is a flagrant breach of the United Nations Charter. Narcotic drugs are a growing menace to the international community. Aware of the problem, Myanmar is carrying out narcotics suppression as a national cause. From the outset the Myanmar Government realized that the drug problem can be tackled only through a multisectoral approach and has laid down national strategies to combat the menace. The nationwide drug-abuse control programme covers many activities: crop substitution and livestock distribution for farmers in the border areas where opium is grown; treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts; preventive education; and law enforcement. The areas where poppies are grown are underdeveloped regions where the national races depend on the cultivation of opium as their principal means of livelihood.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“At the same time, we are deeply concerned that the process of globalization of the world economy has yielded many more losers than winners. The situation was most eloquently described by the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, President Samper Pizano of Colombia, in his address to the Meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Methodology held earlier this year in Cartagena: “The cake of progress continues to be handed out in large slices for a few, and in crumbs for the rest.” Indeed it is distressing to note the dangerous tendency of certain States to link trade and commerce with other issues. We find unacceptable the threat or use of economic sanctions and the extraterritorial application of domestic law to influence policies in developing countries. The use of economic sanctions as a tool of policy is indefensible.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Myanmar has always supported the establishment of nuclear-free zones. In our own region we have, together with our neighbours, signed and ratified the South East Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. Peace and security in the world need to be built upon economic development. Without development there can be no lasting peace. It must be realized, however, that economic progress in developing countries depends as much on a fair and equitable international economic environment as it does on domestic reforms to effectively confront the challenge of poverty and economic malaise. In this regard, we share the Secretary- General’s view that development should be recognized as the foremost and most far-reaching task of our time.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“All States, large and small, nuclear and non-nuclear, have a vital interest in ensuring the success of negotiations on disarmament. The primary responsibility for removing the threat of a nuclear 16 holocaust, however, rests with the nuclear-weapon States. It is essential that the nuclear-weapon States show the political will to accommodate the concerns of non-nuclear- weapon States to achieve a mutually acceptable basis for universal disarmament. Myanmar continues to regard a comprehensive test-ban treaty as an essential step towards nuclear disarmament. The adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the General Assembly on 10 September 1996 is a welcome development. It will contribute significantly to the process of nuclear disarmament and to our efforts to achieve the goal of general and complete disarmament.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“Myanmar truly believes that we can overcome the political, economic and social challenges we face and avoid confrontation and chaos only if we seize the opportunity to extend and strengthen the Organization and promote a multilateral system based on the primacy of international law and freedom of choice and equality of all States. Disarmament, sustainable development, enhancement of the environment and suppression of narcotic drugs are priority issues that affect the security and well-being of peoples throughout the world. Concern continues to mount over the lack of adequate progress in these areas. The proliferation of arms, particularly of weapons of mass destruction, remains the greatest potential threat to mankind’s survival.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“In this time of global transformation the United Nations has an important role to play. It must actively work to guide the world through the transitional period to a new, peaceful, secure and stable era based on respect for the Charter. In this United Nations Decade of International Law it would be most appropriate to rededicate ourselves to achieving a world in which principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of States are respected.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“We were much impressed by the warm reception accorded us and by the outstanding achievements of the leadership in bringing peace and prosperity to the people of Malaysia. I wish also to express our appreciation to Mr. Razali’s predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Diogo Freitas do Amaral, for his invaluable contribution to the work of the fiftieth session of the General Assembly. The United Nations today is at a crossroads. On the one hand, there is hope for a new era in international relations as post- cold-war trends compel nations towards ever-growing interdependence and the globalization of the world economy. On the other hand, issues that have been dormant for decades have emerged, drawing the world into a pattern of conflict, ethnic strife and violence.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)
“May I begin by extending to Mr. Razali the warmest congratulations of the delegation of the Union of Myanmar on his most deserving election as President of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. His election to that important office is no doubt a reflection of the high esteem in which his country, Malaysia, is held by the international community for its active role in world affairs, and of his wealth of personal experience and diplomatic skills. We are confident that under his leadership our deliberations will be fruitful. On a personal note, I should like to say how deeply honoured I was to have accompanied the Head of State Senior General Than Shwe on his state visit to Malaysia last month. The visit was a success.”
1996-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 51 (1996)