YouSaid · the spoken record

Swe

lines on the record: 154
first: 2003-01-14
most recent: 2010-06-16
sittings or episodes: 19
sources: un-security-council

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

“In my conclusion, I would like to say that Myanmar culture and tradition do not support the use of children in armed conflict. The Government is therefore determined to continue to work closely with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and with the United Nations country team on this issue. We expect that Myanmar will be de-listed from future reports of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“In that regard, we are of the view that it is no longer relevant to discuss the situation of Myanmar under the thematic issue of children and armed conflict. While the Government of Myanmar is sincerely and seriously addressing the issue of the recruitment of underage children, we very much regret that our national army, the Tatmadaw Kyi, is still listed under annex I of the Secretary-General's report. We strongly feel that, given our Government's endeavours to put in place the necessary rules, regulations and directives to prohibit the recruitment of underage children, the inclusion of the Tatmadaw Kyi on that list is grossly misleading. My delegation would therefore like to urge that the progress achieved by the Government be duly recognized and that our national army be removed from the list in future reports.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“The committee has been providing periodic reports to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on a regular basis. The Secretary-General's report has recognized the concrete steps taken by my Government. Myanmar will continue its support for and full cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations country team. My delegation would like to state categorically that Myanmar is not a country in a situation of armed conflict. Due to the Government's national reconciliation efforts, 17 armed groups have already returned to the legal fold and the people are enjoying unprecedented peace and stability in almost all corners of the country.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“On the advocacy and awareness-raising front, the Myanmar Government, in cooperation with UNICEF and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has been conducting seminars and workshops for military and police personnel and social workers on the subject of preventing the recruitment of underage children. The Government is also working closely with UNICEF and international NGOs to raise general public awareness on preventing underage recruitment. We strongly believe that such regular training and advocacy programmes will widen the scope of knowledge on those important subjects. Moreover, through a high-level committee, we have established a mechanism on the prevention of the military recruitment of underage children.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“We have therefore also put in place stringent scrutiny at various stages of the recruiting, training and post-training periods. As a result, a total of 344 persons were discharged from the armed forces between 2004 and 2009. With regard to the reintegration process, in 2009 a total of 100 children were returned to their respective guardians. While underage children were discharged, punitive actions were taken against military personnel who failed to abide by existing recruitment rules and regulations. In 2009, such punitive actions were taken against 36 military personnel. With regard to the action plan, my Government is closely cooperating with the United Nations country team in order to finalize it by updating our existing plan.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“That requires promoting sustainable development, poverty eradication, national reconciliation, the rule of law and the protection of human rights in order to achieve positive results in conflict prevention and enhancing the protection of children. The Myanmar Government has been seriously addressing the issue of under-age recruitment into the armed forces. Under the Myanmar Defence Services Act of 1959, a person cannot be enlisted in the armed forces until he has attained the age of 18. Those who do not conform to the minimum-age requirement are discharged from the armed forces. We have in place a directorate that oversees military recruitment regulations, orders and directives. But in some cases, underage children who profess to be older or who have no official birth certificate or other documents have slipped into the military.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today's open debate. It is most timely that the Council is considering this important issue following the publication of the recent report by the Secretary-General (S/2010/ 181). I would also like to join previous speakers in thanking the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Coomaraswamy, the Assistant-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF for their vital contributions to the protection of children and for their comprehensive briefings this morning. Despite the commitment of the international community to addressing this issue, children are still becoming targets and being used in many armed conflicts. In that regard, we must adopt a strategy that addresses the root causes of armed conflicts.”
2010-06-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6341Resumption1 (2010) · source
“It cannot be stressed enough that no one can address the complex challenges that Myanmar is currently facing better than the Government and the peoples of Myanmar. We are making significant strides in the national reconsolidation and democratization process. Thus, Myanmar is nearly in the final stage of achieving our ultimate goal. Myanmar is not a threat to international peace and security, so no Security Council action is warranted. I should like to close by reaffirming our commitment to continuing our cooperation with the United Nations and with the good offices role of the Secretary-General. The continued support, understanding and cooperation of the United Nations and the 5 international community will best assist our endeavour to establish a democratic nation.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“Myanmar today is steadfastly proceeding on its chosen path to democracy. The challenges faced by Myanmar are complex and multifaceted. When one considers Myanmar's geopolitical location, one sees that it is surrounded by countries with different political systems, cultures and religions and that over 40 per cent of the world's population resides in our five neighbours. Myanmar itself is a multi-ethnic and multireligious country. Therefore, we must be neutral and harmonize with all our neighbours for the stability of the region. We have to consider, inter alia, the various historical, geopolitical and multi-ethnic backgrounds. Exerting undue pressure from the outside without fully comprehending the challenges faced by Myanmar will not be conducive to the country's home- grown political process.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“The State will enact a political party registration law and election law in due time. Myanmar is resolved to implement everything it possibly can with a view to facilitating the smooth attainment of the democratic goals it has set for the nation and its people. Myanmar's acceptance of the good offices role of the Secretary-General and its active cooperation in the process, as well as the Secretary-General's second visit to Myanmar in just over a year, are important milestones of cooperation between Myanmar and the United Nations. We are of the view that the Secretary- General's visit to Myanmar was successful. We fully agree with the Secretary-General's remark that his inability to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should not be seen as the only benchmark for the success or failure of his visit.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“With regard to the success of the visit, the Myanmar Government intends to implement all appropriate recommendations that the Secretary- General proposed. At the request of the Secretary- General, the Myanmar Government is proceeding to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a View to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections. Moreover, with regard to the National Economic Forum, the Government will cooperate with the United Nations in the agricultural, livestock and fishery sectors for the betterment of people at the grass-roots level. With regard to the offer of technical assistance in elections, Myanmar will cooperate with the United 09-40115 Nations if technical assistance is necessary for the 2010 general elections.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“We appreciate the Secretary-General's remark on Myanmar Government's endeavours to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, control HIV/AIDS, combat human trafficking and eradicate opium poppy cultivation. During his visit, the Secretary-General also visited the Ayeyarwaddy Delta region, which was struck by Cyclone Nargis a year ago, to observe the construction of cyclone shelters and other reconstruction works carried out jointly by the Myanmar Government, United Nations agencies and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Secretary-General has rightly pointed out that the response to Cyclone Nargis proved the value of engagement and the unprecedented cooperation between Myanmar, the United Nations and ASEAN through the Tripartite Core Group, with the support of the international community.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“Regrettably, official development assistance for Myanmar is less than $3 per capita, which is minimal compared to that received by similar countries. During the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted the fact that such policies towards Myanmar hinder the social and economic development of the country and have mainly impacted people at the grassroots level. It would be more constructive and conducive to our democratization and development efforts if the international community were to view the situation of Myanmar in a wider perspective. Despite these obstacles, the Myanmar Government has been striving to stabilize the situation in the political, social and economic fields with our own resources.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“However, with the aim of demonstrating our cooperation with the United Nations and of respecting the wishes of the Secretary-General, we arranged that unprecedented public meeting. We invited those whom the Secretary-General wished to invite, and cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials of the Government also attended that event to honour the Secretary-General. During his visit, the Secretary-General discussed at length with the Prime Minster the social and economic development of Myanmar. As a developing country, Myanmar has been making untiring efforts for its economic and social development. However, some 09-40115 countries have imposed economic sanctions instead of providing assistance and cooperation.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“We also even made an arrangement for the Secretary-General to meet separately with the representatives of the NLD, although such a meeting was not included in the original programme. We would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and thanks to the Secretary-General for encouraging the political parties and former armed groups to participate in the national reconsolidation process. As requested by the Secretary-General, a public "Thank you event" was arranged by the Myanmar Government, although we were fully aware that such public meetings have not taken place during the Secretary-General's recent visits to certain Member countries. Moreover, we anticipated that Secretary- General might touch on areas and issues that were not on the agenda of the event.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“With regard to the Secretary-General's request to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, although our Head of State himself was willing to arrange the meeting, we regret our inability to accommodate the request, as the Special Court has independent jurisdiction over the matter. It is the discretion and position of the Special Court not to accommodate those who could have influence over its judgments. Our inability to arrange the meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was clearly explained before and during the Secretary-General's visit. Arrangements were made for the Secretary- General to meet with the leaders and representatives of 10 officially registered political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and former armed groups.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“During their meetings, the Secretary-General expressed the views of the United Nations and the international community. Senior General Than Shwe thoroughly explained the developments in Myanmar's political process and highlighted the two most important priorities of the Government at this moment - to hand over State power to a civilian Government after the 2010 general elections and to lay a good foundation for future social and economic development. He also assured the Secretary-General that the 2010 general elections will be free, fair, credible and arranged to ensure the participation of all citizens.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“I wish to thank you, Sir, for this opportunity to make a statement at this briefing. I should also like to thank the Secretary-General for his efforts to support Myanmar's democratization process and for his comprehensive briefing today. The Secretary-General's recent visit to Myanmar was his second in just over a year, and Under-Secretary- General Gambari's ninth. It is noteworthy that, during the Secretary-General's visit to Myanmar, we did our utmost to accommodate his requests, although we were unable to arrange the requested meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is an established protocol practice that our Head of State receives foreign dignitaries only once during their visits. However, at the request of the Secretary-General, Senior General Than Shwe received the Secretary-General twice.”
2009-07-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6161 (2009) · source
“In conclusion, allow me to reiterate that my Government is committed at the highest level to preventing the recruitment of child soldiers into Myanmar's armed forces. To this end, Myanmar will continue to support and cooperate with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations country team.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Of the armed ethnic insurgent groups, 95 per cent, a total of more than 100,000 people, returned to the legal fold between 1989 and 2008. The olive branch is still extended to the remaining 5 per cent. The former insurgent groups are now working with the people and the Government on the development of their respective regions. They are also actively participating in the national political process aimed at transforming Myanmar into a democratic nation. Today, peace and stability prevail in almost all corners of Myanmar. The country is no longer in a situation of armed conflict. The situation in Myanmar is therefore no longer relevant to the discussion of the issue of children and armed conflict.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“The Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with UNICEF, published and distributed to members of the military and armed groups a pocket-sized handbook on preventing the recruitment of underage children. Despite the commitment made at the highest level and the concrete steps taken by the Myanmar Government, which have been recognized in the Secretary-General's report (S/2009/158), it is regrettable that the well-trained and disciplined Myanmar national army, the Tatmadaw Kyi, is still listed in annex I of the Secretary-General's report. Myanmar urges that due recognition be given to the progress made by the Government and that our national army be removed from the list in future reports. Myanmar wishes to underscore that the Government is also making progress in the national reconciliation process.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“For ease of verification and follow-up by the United Nations country team, the addresses of the discharged underage recruits will be provided in future through the information-sharing process. The Myanmar Government has also extended an invitation to the United Nations country team to be present during the hand-over of the underage children to their respective guardians. Advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns were also carried out for military personnel, police personnel, social workers and the general public. The Government, with assistance from UNICEF and other non-governmental organizations such as World Vision (Myanmar) and Save the Children (Myanmar), conducted seminars and workshops on the subject.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“While those children were returned to their respective guardians, punitive action was taken against military personnel who failed to abide by recruitment rules and regulations. In 2008 alone, punitive action was taken against 23 military personnel. The Committee also works in close cooperation with UNICEF and the United Nations Resident Coordinator's office in the area of information-sharing and awareness-raising campaigns. With the support and cooperation of the United Nations country team, the action plan is being updated to bring it in line with international standards. Updated information on the work of the Committee has been provided to the United Nations country team on a regular basis. This includes lists of and detailed information on underage children who have been discharged from military service.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Myanmar has taken concrete steps to prevent conflict and to protect children in armed conflict. Stringent laws and regulations have been put in place. Under the Defence Services Act, Myanmar's military prohibits the conscription or recruitment of children under 18 years of age. In order to prevent underage recruitment, new recruits for the military services must undergo stringent scrutiny, not only during the recruitment and training period but also during the post-training period. To further strengthen that screening process, in 2004, the Government established a high-level committee for the prevention of the military recruitment of underage children. Under the committee's supervision and surveillance, between 2004 and 2009, a total of 296 instances of underage recruitment were detected, resulting in discharge from military service.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on a subject that is of great concern to all of us. My delegation also joins others in expressing our thanks to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, for her informative briefing. Armed conflict always takes a human toll and causes devastation. It is even more shocking when children become its victims or are forced to become armed perpetrators in conflicts. Myanmar shares the view that the most effective and sustainable solution to protect children in armed conflict is to address the root causes of conflict. Therefore, the promotion of sustainable development, the eradication of poverty, the promotion of national reconciliation, good governance and the protection of human rights would go a long way towards preventing and resolving conflicts.”
2009-04-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6114Resumption1 (2009) · source
“Allow me to express the hope that the positive steps taken by Myanmar to address the issue will be accorded the recognition they deserve and that Tatmadaw Kyi will be removed from the annex of the forthcoming report of the Secretary-General.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We have also established working groups under the committee and have set up two focal points, one in the Ministry of Social Welfare and the other in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to cooperate with the United Nations Country Team. The United Nations Country Team in Myanmar has been a good partner and is supportive of the Government's endeavours to prevent the recruitment of underage children into the military. We will continue our cooperation with the United Nations Country Team. We have high respect for and confidence in Special Representative of the Secretary-General Radhika Coomaraswamy and her integrity. We will continue our cooperation with her.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Here, I wish to stress in the strongest possible terms the need for United Nations entities to abide strictly by the stipulations of resolution 1612 (2005), in particular regarding the dialogue established under the framework of the monitoring and reporting mechanism by United Nations entities with non-State armed groups. Allow me to also stress that resolution 1612 (2005) also stipulates that the mechanism must operate with the participation of and in cooperation with national Governments. I wish to conclude by stressing once again that the Government of Myanmar has made a commitment at the highest level that no one under the age of 18 will be recruited into the military. We have set up a mechanism through a high-level committee for the prevention of military recruitment of underage children.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Between November and December 2007, a total of four workshops and seminars were held, in which both World Vision and Save the Children took active part. Those were followed by a number of multiplier courses. Between 1 February 2008 and 30 June 2008, we are able to conduct multiplier courses all over the country, attended by over 100,000 military personnel and their spouses. I also wish to inform the Council that the six armed groups that have come back to the legal fold, as mentioned in the Secretary-General's report, have committed themselves and openly declared that they will not recruit child soldiers. Resolution 1612 (2005) contains important elements for addressing the issue of children and armed conflict.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Government is implementing a policy of stringent scrutiny at the recruitment stage, at the training stage and even after the training period. As a result of that strict scrutiny, between February 2007 and May 2008 some 1,049 underage persons were rejected at the recruitment stage. From 2004 to May 2008, 259 people who had slipped through the initial scrutiny were discharged from the military. From 2002 to January 2008, disciplinary action was taken against 44 military personnel who failed to strictly abide by the recruitment criteria. Education is an important element in addressing the issue of child soldiers. The Government, actively assisted by UNICEF, has conducted a number of seminars and workshops.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Government has been providing detailed information regarding the progress made in its awareness-raising activities, the number of and specific particulars about under-age children discharged from the military and other pertinent data to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. That information was also provided to the resident representatives of the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, who have from time to time had occasion to visit recruitment centres to witness the recruitment process first-hand. We also invited Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, to visit Myanmar. During her visit in June 2007, the Government of Myanmar demonstrated its positive engagement by agreeing to set up a monitoring and reporting mechanism.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Committee has also set up a task force composed of the relevant ministries. What I would like to stress here is that a mechanism and the necessary regulations are in place to ensure that no one under 18 is recruited into the military. In order to raise awareness among those who are involved in the recruitment process, officers of the Office of the Adjutant-General conduct talks on the protection and promotion of child rights and the directives and regulations governing the recruitment process. UNICEF is also invited to conduct lectures on the protection and promotion of child rights. New recruits found to be underage at recruitment centres or training bases are discharged and handed over to their parents or guardians. Punitive action is taken against recruiters who contravene regulations.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Forced conscription in any form is strictly prohibited. A new directorate has been established to oversee strict adherence to orders, regulations and directives in the recruitment process. However, there are cases where persons younger than 18 years of age have professed themselves to be older and have been able to enter military service. There are also cases where recruiters, particularly in far-flung areas, are lax in enforcing the minimum-age requirement. In January 2004, therefore, the Government established a high-level committee for the prevention of the military recruitment of under-age children as soldiers. To achieve its objectives, the committee has adopted a plan of action to strictly ensure that children under 18 years of age are not recruited into the armed forces. Public awareness measures have also been put in place.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We have also been addressing successfully the issue of under-age children in the military. In its summary, the report of the Secretary-General on Myanmar (S/2007/666) pointed out that "The Government of Myanmar has made a commitment at the highest level that no child under the age of 18 will be recruited". In that regard, I wish to stress that Myanmar's international obligation is not to recruit anyone under 16 years of age. However, our domestic rules and regulations provide for a higher standard. Under the Myanmar Defence Services Act and the directives of the War Office Council, the minimum age requirement for recruitment into the military is 18 years. The Myanmar Armed Forces, including Tatmadaw Kyi, is an all-volunteer army; those who join the military service do so of their own free will.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to participate in today's open debate. My delegation appreciates the decision of the Vietnamese presidency to focus on ways and means by which the international community as a whole can contribute to achieving a long-term and sustained solution to the issue of children and armed conflict. We also believe in a broad strategy of conflict prevention. In cases where conflicts occur, national reconciliation must be the preferred strategy. In that connection, we are speaking from our national experience. As a result of our policy of national reconciliation, 17 out of 18 insurgent groups have now returned to the legal fold. Peace and stability prevail in almost all quarters in Myanmar. The country is no longer in a situation of armed conflict.”
2008-07-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5936Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I wish to reiterate once again our strongly held belief that only a comprehensive approach promoting economic growth, eradicating poverty and bringing about sustainable development and national reconciliation will enable us to put an end to armed conflicts, which, to us, is the best way to protect civilians. Before I conclude, let me say that I find it highly objectionable that some delegations have tried to use this debate to politicize a humanitarian issue caused by a natural disaster. My delegation also greatly regrets that Under- Secretary-General Holmes saw fit to mention in passing the issue of access in the aftermath of natural disaster. As he himself said, that is clearly outside the scope of the report and today's debate.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“However, we are gratified that, as a result of the continued efforts of the Government at national reconciliation, we were able to reach a peace agreement with an important faction of the KNU/Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in February 2007. Over 500 members, led by the Chairman of the KNU/KNLA Peace Council, returned to the legal fold after the successful conclusion of peace negotiations. The Government will continue its endeavours to negotiate with the remaining fraction of the KNU, for it to return to the legal fold and join hands with local populace in developing their region.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“They have also joined the National Convention process, which laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in the new constitution. They have taken active part in the recent referendum, which endorsed the draft constitution. There now remains a faction of one insurgent group, the Karen National Union (KNU) and remnants of armed narco-traffickers, who are now confined to small enclaves in the border areas. The Government continues to invite the KNU insurgents to come back to the legal fold. In the past, we have encountered difficulties in our discussions with the KNU, because of outside interference that hindered the peace process.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We are in full sympathy with victims of armed conflicts in various parts of the world because we ourselves have gone through the bitter experience of insurgent groups committing atrocities against our civilian population. Soon after attaining independence, Myanmar had to face numerous insurgencies. Throughout various periods of insurgency, our civilian population has suffered much at the hands of the insurgents. The most efficient way to protect civilians in armed conflicts is to resolve the root causes and bring the armed conflict to an end. Therefore, the Myanmar Government has embarked on a national reconciliation process and has been successful in bringing 17 of the 18 insurgent groups back to the legal fold. As a result, some 100,000 former armed insurgents are no longer fighting the Government.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“We therefore continue to believe strongly that one of the most effective ways to protect civilians in armed conflicts is to have a legally binding international instrument prohibiting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons to non-State actors. The easy availability of illicit small arms and light weapons also compounds the danger of terrorism, which causes great suffering to the civilian population. The Security Council adopted resolution 1674 (2006), which condemns in the strongest term all acts of violence or abuses committed against civilians in situations of armed conflict. Myanmar joins the international community in condemning all such acts.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I wish to thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in the open debate on this important subject. I also wish to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Mr. John Holmes for his tireless efforts and for updating the Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. In the years since the adoption of resolution 1296 (2000), the international community has faced numerous challenges in providing security and well- being to civilian populations. Armed conflicts, which lead to a cycle of violence and do great harm to civilians, are exacerbated by the easy availability of illicit small arms and light weapons. Because of the easy availability of small arms, some 300,000 civilians are killed every year by small arms and light weapons in armed conflicts.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Here I can do no better than to echo what the leader of the plenipotentiary spokesperson team said to Ambassador Gambari on 10 March, when he thanked the Ambassador for his constructive advice and expressed our support and continued willingness to cooperate with the good offices role of the Secretary-General mandated by the General Assembly. May I conclude by stressing once again that Myanmar is not a threat to international peace and security. That has been attested to by all of Myanmar's neighbours. The country is making significant strides in its national reconciliation and democratization process. No Security Council action is warranted with regard to Myanmar.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“In the referendum, as well as in the elections, everyone - those who support the Government and those who oppose its policies - will be allowed to participate on equal terms. 08-27488 Given the complexity of the challenges that Myanmar faces, the Government has come a long way and has made significant strides in our seven-step political road map. Myanmar has been cooperating, and will continue to cooperate, with the United Nations. After all, cooperation with the United Nations is a cornerstone of Myanmar's foreign policy.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“Under the fundamental principles adopted by the National Convention, in addition to the existing seven states and seven divisions, the ethnic nationalities with sizeable populations will be allowed to form themselves into self-administered zones, in fulfilment of the one of their most important aspirations. The boundaries of the existing states and the new self- administered zones have also been agreed to by the representatives to the National Convention. That was no easy task. The constitution drafting commission has completed that task. The draft Constitution, which contains all these provisions as well as qualifications for taking part in the elections, will be put to a nationwide referendum in May. During its meeting with Ambassador Gambari, the spokesperson team assured him that the referendum will be free and fair.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“It also included representatives of the political parties and representatives of the 17 insurgent groups that have returned to the legal fold. Myanmar had to face over 40 years of insurgency because of the weakness in the 1947 Constitution. Some ethnic nationalities had reservations regarding the provisions in that Constitution. Therefore, the inclusion of representatives of the ethnic nationalities and the former insurgent groups in the National Convention, and their acceptance of the fundamental principles, are of the utmost importance. They also attest to the inclusive nature of the National Convention process.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“During Ambassador Gambari's visit, we were able to explain to him the inclusive nature of the National Convention process, which laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in the draft constitution. In fact, the National Convention was set up by the meeting attended by all political parties. The three important chapters of the fundamental principles were drawn up and agreed to by the National League for Democracy when it was part of the National Convention. When we reconvened the National Convention in 2004, the NLD was again invited. However, it declined the invitation at the last minute. The National Convention is comprised of some 1,080 delegates, out of which 635 are from the ethnic nationalities.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“I am also gratified that many of our neighbours, who see the situation as it really is, have acknowledged the progress made in this recent visit. I am also thankful to the Secretary-General for acknowledging that "there was some progress". The Secretary-General's good offices role is mandated by the General Assembly. Yesterday, after meeting with Ambassador Gambari, the President of the General Assembly issued a statement that he was "encouraged by the fact that the Special Envoy was able to meet with key figures, including pro- democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as with the Referendum Convening Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee". We take heart from that statement.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“Ambassador Gambari has also had the opportunity to meet with members of the commission charged with drafting the State constitution and with the commission for the holding of the referendum, as well as with political parties - including the National League for Democracy (NLD) - and the International Committee of the Red Cross. As per his request, we made arrangements for him to meet twice with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and extended his visit to Myanmar. Ambassador Gambari's visit provided him with the opportunity to have extensive discussions with our authorities. Those discussions are very useful because we are able to understand each other and draw parameters for cooperation with the United Nations.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“Dialogue and cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) continued, and the Government and the ILO recently concluded the extension of the supplementary understanding between them. Minister U Aung Kyi has been appointed as Minister for Relations with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and they have met several times. Those are indeed positive and concrete developments, made possible by the trust and confidence that Ambassador Gambari enjoys. During his recent visit, Ambassador Gambari had the opportunity to meet twice with the plenipotentiary spokesperson team representing the State Peace and Development Council, headed by the Minister for Information.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“A nationwide referendum on the draft constitution - the fourth step of the road map - will be held in May. Upon ratification, multiparty elections - the fifth step - will be held in 2010. In the course of his good offices efforts, many of the things that Ambassador Gambari discussed with the Government have come to fruition. After the tragic event of September, the Government lifted the curfew and withdrew the presence of the military from public areas in major cities, where they had previously been stationed. Some 2,600 persons, including 780 monks, have been released from detention. The National Convention was successfully concluded, with 8,552 prisoners released to mark that historic occasion.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source