MYANMAR
Please check against deliver))

Statement by H.E. U Kyaw Tint Swe, PermanentRepresentative of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations in the Third Committee of the 62"dSession the United Nations General Assembly of before the vote on the draft resolutionA/C.3162[L.4]/Rev.1 entitled "Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar"

2007) New York,20 November

P E R M A N E N T I S S I O N F T H E U N I O NO F M Y A N M A R O T H E U . N .. 1 0 E . 7 7 r h S T R E E TN E W Y O R K ,N . y .1 0 0 7 5 . . T E L( 2 1 2 ) 4 4 - 1 2 7 1 M O T , . 7

Mr. Chairman, The Charter of the United Nations places the issue of human rights in the context of international cooperation. The draft resolution contained in A/C.3l62lI-.4tlRev.l sponsoredby the EuropeanUnion will generateconfrontation rather than promote cooperation. We find the draft resolution objectionable both on grounds of procedure as well as substance. Procedurally, I wish to reiterate that the proper venue for a country specific resolution, if it becomesreally necessary, the Human Rights Council. This draft resolution makesa mockery is of the principles which have guided the establishmentof the Human Rights Council. Similar to the practice followed last year, the European Union made available the draft text to us only 3 days before tabling the draft resolution. That made it impossible to carry out any meaningful negotiations. An objective perusal of the draft resolution clearly shows that its real intention is to manipulate Myanmar's home-grown political processand to derail the 7-step political road map that Myanmar has set for itself for transition to a democratic society. The draft is replete witl unfounded allegations emanating from the exiles and remnantsof the insurgents who are waging a systematic disinformation campaign against Myanmar, aided and funded by some of the powerful Western countries. The draft resolution, by intruding upon matters that according to the United Nations Charter, falls essentially under the sovereign domain of my country, makes it entirely unacceptableto us. Mr. Chairman, The introduction of a country-specific draft resolution on Myanmar at a time when we are cooperating actively with the Secretary-General'sgood offices role and the Human Rights Council, can only be counter-productive. In recent months, the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General,Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, visited Myanmar twice, from 29 September to 2 October 2007 and 3 to 8 November 2007. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, successfully completed his visit to Myanmar from 11 to 15 November 2007. In his report to the Security Council soon after his most recent visit to Myanmar, Ambassador Gambari noted the positive outcomes of his mission and reiterated that the good offices role was a process that required time, patience, persistence and a comprehensive approach. Here I wish to stressthat peace and stability has been restored and life has returnedto normal all over the country. Almost all those detainedin connection with the Septemberunrest have been released. Only 9l who had been found to have been involved in a conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism remain under detention and action will be taken asainst them in accordance with the law.

2 The first crucial step of the 7-step road map, the National Convention has successfully completed its task of laying down the basic principles to be enshrined in a new Constitution. A 54-member committee has also been established to draft a new constitution. Additionally, a Minister has been appointed to liaise with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has statedthat the Governmentwas serious and really willing to work for national reconciliation. The challenges facing Myanmar are complex and delicate. The good offices role mandatedby the General Assembly should be allowed time and spaceto play a catalytic role in facilitating the national reconciliation process. Mr. Chairman, In sum, the ErnopeanUnion's country-specific draft resolution is anathemato the work of this Committee. It turns a blind eye to the positive developments in Myanmar. It is clearly an attempt to put political pressureon Myanmar under the pretext of promoting human rights. If left unchallenged,it would set a dangerousprecedentfor developing countries. We are therefore compelled to requestfor a recordedvote. I would like to appeal to all countries that stand on principle to show solidarity with Myanmar and vote against the draft resolution in keeping with the following principled stand taken by the NAM Heads of State or Government; "The exploitation of human rights for political pu{poses,including selectivetargeting of individual countries for extraneousconsideration,which is contrary to the founding principles of the Movement as well as the IIN Charter, should be prohibited". I thank you.
* * ** * * * {<**** * { <* * ** ***