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

“The good offices role of the Secretary-General that has been mandated by the General Assembly has been described by Ambassador Gambari as a process and not an event. He has also stressed that the process must bring about tangible results. To see where this process is right now, one must look at the process when it began. In 2003, Myanmar set for itself a seven-step political road map to democracy. When Ambassador Gambari started the good offices role, we were still at the first step of our road map. Since then, the National Convention has successfully laid down the fundamental principles to be enshrined in a new constitution. Subsequently, a commission to draft the State constitution was established. On 19 February, it successfully completed its task of drafting a new constitution.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to make a statement at this briefing. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary- General Gambari for his briefing on the details of his recent visit to Myanmar. The Secretary-General's good offices role - mandated by the General Assembly - has been ably implemented by Ambassador Gambari. The task that he is undertaking is by no means an easy one. That is because of the complex nature of the challenges facing Myanmar in trying to transform the country into a democratic society while at the same time forging national reconciliation and maintaining national unity. I therefore wish to express my appreciation and admiration to Ambassador Gambari for the principled manner in which he is implementing the good offices mandate with regard to Myanmar.”
2008-03-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5854 (2008) · source
“We will intensify our cooperation with the United Nations country team in general and UNICEF in particular. Together we will work for the protection and promotion of children.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Let me close by once again reiterating our commitments made at the highest level that no one under 18 years of age will be recruited into the Myanmar armed forces. I wish also to inform the Council that the six armed groups that have come back to the legal fold - the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, Kachin Independence Army, Karenni National People's Liberation Front, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Karen National Union- Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council and the United Wa State Army - have committed themselves and openly declared that they will not recruit child soldiers. The Government of Myanmar will continue its cooperation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Coomaraswamy, whose integrity and fairness we hold in high esteem.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Cooperation needs transparency. On the ground, we have a close working relationship with the United Nations country team. In fact, to be transparent, the United Nations country team has volunteered to share its report. We are disturbed that, owing to the objection by the Office of the Special Representative, the United Nations country team was unable to do so. Let me stress that it is only through cooperation and partnership and acting transparently that we can address the issue of children and armed conflict. In this spirit, my delegation will continue to cooperate with the Security Council Working Group. Here, I wish to express our support for the View expressed earlier that more transparency and improvement in the Group's working methods would certainly enhance its effectiveness.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“It is in this spirit that I find objectionable the unfounded allegations made earlier in the morning, some of which have even found their way into the report. These allegations have crept into the report because of lack of cooperation with the Member Government. To resolve the issue of children and armed conflict, cooperation with the Government is most crucial. In fact, resolution 1612 (2005) clearly stipulated that the monitoring and reporting mechanisms must operate with the participation of and in cooperation with the national Government. It also stipulates that any dialogue with non-State armed groups must be conducted in the context of peace processes where they exist and in the cooperation framework between the United Nations and the concerned Government. That has not been the case with regard to Myanmar.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“This certainly is not the case with regard to allegations concerning Tatmadaw Kyi and the insurgent groups that have returned to the legal fold. In contrast, the remaining insurgent groups are given undue favourable treatment. We are greatly disturbed that in the annex to the report Tatmadaw Kyi is falsely described. I quote, "This party has also been responsible for the killing and maiming and denial of humanitarian access to children in the reporting period." This is added despite the admission in the report that "these reports, however, cannot be confirmed". In view of this, I would like to urge that this reference to Tatmadaw Kyi be deleted. The issue of protection of children in general and children in armed conflict in particular is too important to be politicized.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“They were followed by a number of multiplier courses in various states and divisions. Public awareness campaigns have been intensified to educate the general public. We see some improvement in the report of the Secretary-General. We noted that it now includes the situation of children in Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. But for some inexplicable reason the groups that are clearly mentioned in the body of the report for recruiting child soldiers and wounding children in those situations were not listed in the annexes. We would strongly urge objectivity and fairness in treating all situations that affect children in armed conflict. The Secretary-General's report mentioned that United Nations country teams are primary sources of information for the report and that the information in the report is gathered, vetted and verified for accuracy.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Most recently, at the suggestion of the Special Representative, the Director-General of International Organizations in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was nominated as an additional focal point for implementing the resolution 1612 (2005). Education is an important element in addressing the issue of child soldiers. The end of the conflict in former insurgency areas has enabled the Government to build hundreds of schools in those areas. Additionally, in order to educate military personnel, police personnel, staff members of relevant ministries and the general public, the Government, actively assisted by the UNICEF, has conducted a number of seminars and workshops. In November and December 2007 4 workshops and seminars were held, in which both World Vision and Save the Children took active part.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As part of the cooperation with the United Nations, since 2004 we have invited the United Nations resident coordinator and the UNICEF representative to visit the recruitment centres, training facilities and military establishments. We have also invited the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and, more recently, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Myanmar. During the Special Representative's visit, we agreed to cooperate in the establishment of a monitoring and reporting mechanism within the framework of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), and we appointed the Director- General of the Ministry of Social Welfare as the focal point. Those developments were reflected in the aforementioned reports of the Secretary-General.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“As a result of strict scrutiny, between February 2007 and January 2008 some 962 under-age persons were rejected during the recruitment stage. Between 2004 and January 2008, 172 people who had slipped through the initial scrutiny were discharged from the military. Between 2002 and January 2008, disciplinary action was taken against 44 military personnel who failed to strictly abide by the recruitment criteria. We are also closely cooperating with the United Nations country team in Myanmar, including UNICEF. We have drawn up a plan of action and have regularly provided updates to the United Nations country team regarding the activities of the committee, including detailed information on under-age children who were discharged, and disciplinary action was taken against military recruiters who contravened regulations.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Let me again reiterate that Myanmar's military is an all-volunteer army and that, under the defence services act and relevant regulations, the minimum age for recruitment is 18 years old. In order to prevent under-age children who lie about their age from getting into the military, and in order to institute stringent scrutiny and educate the public, the Government in 2004 set up a high-level committee to prevent recruitment of under-age children. The committee is headed by the Secretary One of the State Peace and Development Council, who is also the Adjutant- General of the Armed Forces. The Government is implementing stringent scrutiny at the recruitment stage, at the training stage and even after the training period.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“The Government is able to bring about peace and security in almost all corners of Myanmar. The Secretary-General's report (S/2007/757) reflected some, but not all, of the important activities undertaken by the Government of Myanmar to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers. In spite of the commitment made by the Government at the highest level that no child under 18 years will be recruited into the military, and despite the concrete steps taken by my Government - some of which are reflected in the Secretary-General's reports S/2007/666 and S/2007/757 - we are greatly disappointed that the Myanmar national army, Tatmadaw Kyi, is still listed in Annex 1 of the Secretary-General's latest report. I strongly urge that Tatmadaw Kyi be taken off of the list.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“I wish to commend you, Mr. President, for the initiative in holding an open debate on the issue of children and armed conflict, an issue that is given high importance by my Government. I wish also to thank you for the opportunity to speak in the debate. Myanmar has gone through more than four decades of insurgency and has recently emerged from a situation of armed conflict with the return to the legal fold of 17 major insurgent groups. Only a few fringe insurgent groups such as the Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party and Shan State Army-South still continue to take up arms against the Government and engage in terrorist activities against the population. Except for counter-insurgency operations against these insurgent groups, major military campaigns are no longer conducted in my country.”
2008-02-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5834Resumption1 (2008) · source
“Both parties to the national reconciliation process have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing dialogue. This is a time for encouragement and not for undue outside pressure. The good offices role mandated by the General Assembly should be allowed to play its catalytic role in facilitating the national reconciliation process. The Council should provide encouragement and refrain from taking any action at this critical juncture. We thank the members of the Council who see things as they are and welcome the positive developments. We appreciate that. There are situations in the world that threaten international peace and security and deserve the undivided attention of the Council. The situation in Myanmar is certainly not among them. Myanmar does not pose any threat to regional or international peace and security.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“It must be noted that the challenges facing Myanmar are complex and delicate. We are promoting national unity and, at the same time, a national reconciliation process, and we are also laying the firm foundation for an enduring democracy. Ambassador Gambari himself has mentioned, time and again, that the good offices role of the Secretary-General is a process and not an event. It must also be acknowledged, as confirmed by Ambassador Gambari in his statement this afternoon, that there is significant progress in Myanmar. The meetings between the Minister for Relations, U Aung Kyi, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have got off to a good start, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself is optimistic about the process. Today, the nation can look forward with high expectations to the birth of a new era.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“Gambari's efforts on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and invited him to return to Myanmar in continuation of the good offices process". This is in line with Myanmar's longstanding position of cooperation with the United Nations, a cornerstone of Myanmar's foreign policy. We are cooperating not only with the Secretary- General and Ambassador Gambari in connection with the good offices role mandated by the General Assembly, but also with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who is currently in my country. He is receiving the full cooperation of my Government. It is disappointing that, notwithstanding the positive developments, some continue to express scepticism with regard to the commitment of the leadership and the pace of the ongoing process.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“The appointment was welcomed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in the statement issued by Ambassador Gambari on her behalf on 8 November in Singapore. She also confirmed that the first meeting between her and that Minister on 25 October 2007 was constructive. She has stated that, in the interest of the nation, she stands ready to cooperate with the Government in order to make the process of dialogue a success. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with the senior members of her party on 9 November 2007. Following the meeting, the spokesman of the National League for Democracy issued a statement saying that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi believed that the Government "was serious and really willing to work for national reconciliation". A United Nations press release issued on 7 November 2007 affirmed that "the Prime Minister reiterated his Government's full support for Mr.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“Peace and stability have been restored in Myanmar, and life has returned to normal all over the country. The curfew has been lifted in toto, and there are no further arrests in connection with the demonstrations. Almost all those detained in connection with the September unrest have been released. As of 7 November, the number stood at 2,836. Only 91 now remain in custody. They have been found to have been involved in unlawful activities, including conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. Action is being taken against them in accordance with the law. Ambassador Gambari has also informed the Council of this. A 54-member committee has been constituted to draft a new constitution. A Minister was appointed on 8 October to liaise with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“It is noteworthy that, during his visit, he had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister, General Thein Sein, and several relevant Ministers. He also met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and representatives of ethnic nationalities, senior monks, political parties and civil society. I congratulate him on the fruitful outcome of his mission. His accomplishment is all the more commendable in view of the unwarranted pressure on the part of some quarters to unduly hasten his visit to Myanmar. This created a less than favourable environment for him to carry out his good offices mandate. However, he managed to overcome the challenge. Allow me, Sir, to highlight the notable developments in Myanmar since Ambassador Gambari's recent visits, although he has touched on most of them.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“Mr. President, I wish to thank you for this opportunity to speak before the Security Council. I am particularly happy to see Indonesia, a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), presiding over this meeting. I understand that I will be followed by my colleague, the Permanent Representative of Singapore, who will speak in his national capacity. I also understand that the Permanent Representative of Japan, another country from our region, will be taking the floor. I wish to thank Special Envoy Gambari for his briefing. His vast experience and consummate diplomatic skills have stood him well in carrying out the good offices role of the Secretary-General mandated by the General Assembly.”
2007-11-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5777 (2007) · source
“I would therefore like to call on the Security Council to refrain from any action that would be detrimental to the good offices role of the Secretary- General mandated by the General Assembly. On our part, we will continue to cooperate with the United Nations. In that regard, I can do no better than to quote my Foreign Minister, who, in his address to the General Assembly, stated: "We will continue to work closely and cooperate actively with the United Nations" (A/62/PV.]3).”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Cooperation with the United Nations is a basic tenet of Myanmar's foreign policy. It is in that context that we cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and Ambassador Gambari in connection with the good offices role mandated to the Secretary-General by the General Assembly. The process is proceeding well. More importantly, despite the recent tragic events, the situation in Myanmar is not - I repeat, not - a threat either to regional or to international peace and security. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the members of the Security Council that, both here and at their capitals, have taken that position. No Security Council action is warranted with regard to the situation in Myanmar.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“As part of the national reconciliation process, our Head of State has relayed a message through Ambassador Gambari to the effect that, should Daw Aung San Suu Kyi renounce her obstructive and confrontational stance, he would be ready to meet her personally. I am also happy to inform the Council that Ambassador Gambari has again been invited to visit Myanmar some time in November. We are encouraged by the position that was expressed by the Secretary-General that no one can address the complex challenges facing Myanmar better than the Myanmar people themselves. I would like to recall, as Ambassador Gambari just mentioned, what Ambassador Gambari said to this body in an earlier briefing: the good offices role is a process and not an event. Patience, time and space are needed.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“In view of the improved situation of peace and stability in the entire country, and in particular in Yangon and Mandalay, the curfew hours imposed in those two cities have been shortened. The authorities initially detained a number of people for questioning. Those who had not infringed any serious laws were later released. To date - as mentioned by Ambassador Gambari - a total of 2,095 people, including 722 monks, have been released. Those who were released also include the remaining locally recruited employee of the United Nations Development Programme and her family. More releases will follow. On the political front, Myanmar will continue with its policy of national reconciliation. We will resolutely implement our seven-step road map to fulfil the aspirations of the people.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Prior to the Visit of Ambassador Gambari, maximalist positions were articulated by a number of countries that Ambassador Gambari must meet our Head of State and that Ambassador Gambari must also meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Ambassador Gambari has accomplished even more than what was expected from his visit. Following the visit, Ambassador Gambari passed through Singapore and called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his capacity as Chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee. Subsequent to the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore issued a press release which mentioned that Prime Minister Lee "was encouraged by the access and cooperation given by Myanmar Government to Mr. Gambari".”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Ambassador Gambari was accorded access and full cooperation by the Myanmar Government during his visit. He was received by Senior General Than Shwe, the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council. He also had the opportunity to hold separate meetings with the Acting Prime Minister and Government spokespersons, led by the Minister for Information. In addition, he met twice with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Ambassador Gambari travelled to northern Shan State and was able to witness the prevalence of peace and stability even in those far- flung areas. He witnessed a rally in support of the successful conclusion of the National Convention by some 120,000 people in Lashio. He also had occasion to meet with the leaders of an armed group that had returned to the legal fold and that had participated in the National Convention.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“The situation has now returned to normalcy. Currently, people all over the country are holding peaceful rallies within the bounds of the law to welcome the successful conclusion of the national convention, which has laid down the fundamental principles for a new constitution, and to demonstrate their aversion to recent provocative demonstrations. Let me now turn to Special Envoy Gambari's visit to Myanmar. In that connection, I wish to deeply thank Mr. Gambari for his briefing. We had already agreed for Mr. Gambari to visit Myanmar in November. However, after Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon met with my Foreign Minister on 26 September and expressed his desire to dispatch Ambassador Gambari to Myanmar at an early date, the Government of the Union of Myanmar invited Ambassador Gambari to visit Myanmar commencing 29 September.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“At the meeting of the 10 permanent representatives from ASEAN countries just before the present meeting, the Permanent Representative of Singapore was kind enough to share his statement with us. Six permanent representatives, including Myanmar, made known their views to Singapore, the recurring chair of ASEAN, that they regard the statement in question as a national statement by Singapore. The statement is indeed forward-looking, but there are some elements with which we have some difficulty, particularly with regard to the reference to sanctions. In the life of every nation, there are times when it has to face challenging situations and overcome them. Myanmar went through that experience very recently. In fact, what Myanmar went through was indeed a daunting challenge. However, we have been able to restore stability.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“Mr. President, I thank you for the opportunity to speak to the Security Council in connection with Under-Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari's visit to Myanmar under the Secretary- General's good offices role mandated by the General Assembly. I wish also to thank the Secretary-General for his statement. I am also gratified to learn that Mr. Gambari, after reporting to the Secretary-General, has briefed the President of the General Assembly earlier today. Mention was made of a statement to be made today on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). I also understand that my colleague, the Permanent Representative of Singapore, will also be making a statement. Yesterday, when I contacted him, he was kind enough to clarify to me that his statement will not be on behalf of ASEAN.”
2007-10-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5753 (2007) · source
“I wish to conclude by reiterating our great appreciation to our friends who have chosen to safeguard the sanctity of the Charter by expressing their strong principled position through their votes today. We regard them not only as friends of Myanmar but also as friends of developing countries and friends of multilateralism. I would like to reaffirm that Myanmar will continue on the path that the Government and the people have set for themselves. The National Convention - the first, crucial step of our seven-step road map - is essentially complete. We will resolutely implement the seven-step political road map to its successful completion. Cooperation with the United Nations is the cornerstone of Myanmar's foreign policy. We are encouraged by today's Security Council decision. We will continue our cooperation with the United Nations.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“It must also be noted that the visits to Myanmar of Under-Secretary-General Gambari under the good-offices role of the Secretary-General mandated by the General Assembly are also providing concrete results. In his November 2006 briefing to the Security Council regarding his Visit to Myanmar, Mr. Gambari mentioned a number of key areas where he hoped to see progress - among them "the release of a significant number of political prisoners", including "the five 88 Student Generation activists arrested in September". On 3 January, the Government of Myanmar granted amnesty to 2,831 prisoners. This was welcomed by the Secretary-General in a press statement. On 11 January, the international media gave wide coverage to the release of the five individuals mentioned by Under-Secretary-General Gambari.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The joint communique of the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, of 25 July 2006, clearly stated that ASEAN recognizes that "Myanmar needs both time and space to deal with its many and complex challenges. ASEAN hopes that Myanmar's efforts to deal with those challenges will progress so that Myanmar can effectively engage the international community, and in this regard ASEAN would remain constructively engaged." 07-20880 It is claimed that the draft resolution was aimed at providing strong support for the Secretary-General's good-offices mandate. The truth of the matter is that the draft would not in any way have helped the good- offices mandate that the General Assembly gave the Secretary-General.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The Government has spent over 65 billions kyats and 550 million dollars for development works for the progress of border areas and ethnic national races. Because of these national reconciliation efforts, the representatives of the 17 former insurgent groups - all of whom belong to the ethnic national groups - have joined the National Convention to draw up the basic principles to be enshrined in the new constitution. Here I wish to say that our National Convention process is inclusive. We have also invited the NLD to join, but at the last minute they declined to do so. Myanmar is successfully building national unity and at the same time laying a firm foundation for a democratic society. It is both a complex and a delicate process, which is fully understood by our neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The Government has taken the United Nations Country Team and the diplomatic corps, including a representative of the United States Embassy, to these areas. The civilians who were Victims of the attacks by the insurgents clearly stated that perpetrators of these attacks were members of the Karen National Union. I also wish to say that we have invited Under-Secretary-General Gambari to go to these areas and see with his own eyes the real situation there. As part of the national reconciliation process, the Government has been implementing development activities in the border areas, which were previously inaccessible to the Government because of various insurgencies. These are the areas where the ethnic nationalities live.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“According to the UNDP Human Development Report, Myanmar's economy grew at an average of 5.7 per cent over the last 14 years and Myanmar has been elevated from a country with low human development to a country enjoying medium human development. The allegations with regard to HIV/AIDS, avian flu and trafficking in narcotics and people have been proved to be patently untrue by United Nations reports. Moreover, the issues of HIV/AIDS, avian flu and trafficking in narcotics are also global challenges that need to be addressed with the cooperation of the entire international community. The draft resolution also made allegations of attacks in ethnic majority regions on civilians, including women and children, and in particular the attacks on civilians in Karen State. This is a complete falsehood.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The draft resolution, had it been adopted, would have created a dangerous precedent. It would also have clearly exceed the mandate given by the Charter to the Council and would have undermined the Council's authority and legality. We are glad that the Council has chosen not to do that today. To have adopted the draft resolution would also have been to act on information that is patently false. It portrayed the situation in Myanmar "in particular, HIV/AIDS, avian flu and trafficking in narcotics and people" as transnational threats. That was language was changed later to "international risks". It also claimed that "the overall situation in Myanmar has deteriorated and poses serious risks to peace and security in the region". Nothing could be further from the truth.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“wrote to the President of the Council in July 2006 that "the Non-Aligned Movement stresses once again that the decision by the Security Council to initiate formal or informal discussion on the situation in any Member State of the United Nations or on any issue that does not constitute a threat to international peace and security as contrary to Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Movement does not consider the situation in Myanmar constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and opposes attempts by a member of the Council to categorize Myanmar as such." The Movement again wrote to the President of the Security Council on 8 December and reiterated this firm position and added that it was confirmed at the fourteenth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement recently held in Havana.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“Even to that insurgent group, the Government extends a hand of welcome and has invited them to return to the legal fold. Negotiations are going on right now. We conduct counter-insurgency campaigns only against those KNU insurgents who are engaged in acts of terrorism. Myanmar has close and cordial relations with all her five neighbours and other countries in the region and beyond. It does not engage in any activity aimed at undermining the peace and security of any country. All this is attested to by Myanmar's neighbours and countries in the region. This position is also strongly held by the 118 members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of NAM.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The Member States of the United Nations have conferred on the Security Council the primary responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security, pursuant to Article 24, paragraph 1, of the Charter of the United Nations. There are many issues that deserve - in fact demand - the immediate and undivided attention of the Security Council. By no stretch of imagination is Myanmar among them. Myanmar does not pose any threat to international peace and security. In fact, we have been able to contribute to regional stability by bringing to a Virtual end the insurgency that has plagued the country for almost five decades. Of 18 major insurgent groups, 17 groups, numbering approximately 100,000, have now returned to the legal fold. The Karen National Union (KNU) is the only major insurgent group fighting the Government.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“The Security Council should be proud of what transpired today. If there is a justifiable occasion for a permanent member to cast a negative vote, this is certainly the occasion. We are gratified that two permanent members - both of whom know full well the actual situation of my country and one of whom is an immediate neighbour of Myanmar - have chosen to do so. I am most grateful to both the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation for their strong position of principle. I also greatly appreciate the four elected members who, in the face of tremendous pressure, either voted against or abstained - South Africa, Congo, Indonesia and Qatar.”
2007-01-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5619 (2007) · source
“We are of the view that national Governments and the United Nations must work closely together to address the important issue of protecting children. In that regard, we would like to stress that all the parties involved, including the United Nations agencies, must strictly observe and adhere to the provisions of Security Council resolution 1612 (2005), with special emphasis on operative paragraphs 2 (c) and (d). I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of cooperation between the United Nations and the concerned Government on matters related to the monitoring and reporting mechanism by United Nations entities in their contact with non-State armed groups. I wish to reaffirm the political will of the Government of Myanmar to prevent the military recruitment of underage children.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“More recently, I have provided the Special Representative with photographic records of newly recruited underage children who had been discharged from the military service since May. Despite all the information provided by the national Government, as well as the United Nations country team in Myanmar, the report of the Secretary- General on children and armed conflict contains little or no mention of the concrete actions of my Government. It continues to lack accuracy and objectivity and to include unfounded allegations. I wish to inform Council members that Myanmar, as stated by Under-Secretary-General Gambari to this Council in September, is no longer in a situation of armed conflict. The Government is making all-out efforts to prevent the use of child soldiers.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Following his visit, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme and the UNICEF representative, together with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross office in Mandalay, visited the military recruitment centre in Mandalay on 25 October. During the visit, they also talked freely with new recruits in the recruitment centre. Subsequently, the UNICEF representative wrote a letter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and expressed his belief that "the recruitment procedure has been fully implemented". I have met the Special Representative of the Secretary-General a number of times and have kept her abreast of the efforts of my Government to prevent the recruitment of underage children, including the names and identity numbers of underage children discharged from the military.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Members of the High-Level Committee have crisscrossed the country and conducted hundreds of seminars and education campaigns, with the full participation of community elders and various social organizations. The Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF visited Myanmar in August 2006. During his meeting with the First Secretary of the State Peace and Development Council, matters related to the protection of children - including the efforts of the Government to prevent the recruitment of underage children into the military - were discussed. The Deputy Executive Director was invited to inspect the military recruitment centres. However, because of time constraints, he was not able to take up the offer.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“To effectively implement those rules and regulations, a High-Level Committee for the Prevention of Military Recruitment of Underage Children was established in January 2004. The establishment of the High-Level Committee has contributed to stricter enforcement of the recruitment criteria. Furthermore, the discharging of underage children who have been in service for years has become more pronounced with the launching of a plan of action. There have been further developments in the implementation of the prevention of military recruitment of underage children in Myanmar following the open debate in July. Education and public awareness activities have been extensively carried out.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“The source of those allegations, including the preposterous figure of 90,000 child soldiers, comes from exiles and remnants of insurgents. Needless to say, those allegations are completely untrue. The Council has first-hand experience that information coming from exiles is completely unreliable. Therefore, I wish to take this opportunity to apprise the Council of the concrete steps taken by my Government to prevent the use of child soldiers. I wish to reiterate here that the Myanmar armed forces are an all-volunteer army. As stipulated by the Myanmar Defence Service Act and War Office Council directives, Myanmar does not recruit persons under 18 years of age into the military. When new recruits are found to be underage, they are discharged from the military.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“I wish to thank you, Sir, for convening the open debate today. It is most timely. I appreciate the useful information provided by the Special-Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, and the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Ann Veneman. We are pleased to note that steady progress has been made in establishing the monitoring and reporting mechanism in the seven situations designated as priorities. The first phase of implementation has highlighted the importance of working closely among involved parties - the national Governments, relevant United Nations actors and other partners - for the successful operationalization of the mechanism. This morning, a delegation made unfounded allegations with regard to the use of child soldiers in my country and by my Government.”
2006-11-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5573Resumption1 (2006) · source
“We are also happy to learn that progress has been made in implementing United Nations action plan for implementing resolution 1325 (2000), including in such areas as conflict prevention, early warning, peace making and peace building. The report also shows that much more needs to be done. My delegation is encouraged by the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission and hopes that the Commission, by complementing national efforts, will play an important part in promoting the role of women in the consolidation of peace.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556Resumption1 (2006) · source
“Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. It knows no national boundaries. Women in Myanmar, with the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation at its forefront, have taken on nationwide campaigns to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In implementing resolution 1325 (2000), we also need to strengthen the capabilities of the United Nations system in the area of gender. My delegation is pleased to note, from the report of the Secretary- General, that United Nations entities are focused on developing policies and operational tools to facilitate gender mainstreaming and that regular gender training is provided for all categories and levels of peacekeeping personnel.”
2006-10-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5556Resumption1 (2006) · source