By Zin Linn Jul 03, 2013 8:11PM UTC
Asian Correstpondent.com
During a radio address to the
nation on Tuesday, President Thein Sein acknowledged the World Economic Forum
East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw last month, the state-run media highlighted on
2 July. The President said it had helped reconnect them with world markets and
promote Burma/Myanmar to international investors.
“Towards this goal, we
hosted. It is the first time Myanmar has hosted a Summit of this nature and
caliber. We should all be proud as a nation to be able to successfully host a
Summit that was attended by internationally recognized leaders and experts in
political and economic realms,” he said, again noting his awareness to “promote
Myanmar to international investors.”
According to him, the idea of
the Summit — Courageous Transformation for Inclusion and Integration — also
obeys the rules in view of the peace process and resource sharing connected to
the wide-ranging economic development. He also expressed his thanks to the
committee members – experts, civil servants, university students and volunteers
– who took part making the World Economic Forum East Asia Summit a success.
However, he expressed his
sorrow learning about the events in Malaysia where Myanmar/Burmese migrant
workers were attacked.
It was an important lesson
for the nation since some groups’ actions at home have impacted on fellow
citizens living and working abroad, he advised in his radio speech. He also
denounced extremist acts of a small group of individuals that use religion as a
tool to cause fear and spread hatred between different faiths for their
personal, political or economic gain. As a nation, all citizens have to work
hard to prevent the future occurrence of similar misdemeanors, the President said.
President Thein Sein meets Lt. Gen. Yawdserk
on 10 June, 2013 in NayPyiTaw. (Photo: Shan State Army Facebook)
The President also called for
strengthening the capacities of the country’s diplomatic missions abroad to
protect and promote the safety and well being of fellow citizens who have been
working under unsympathetic conditions in foreign countries.
Then, he said that his
government has been working hard for the lifting of economic sanctions imposed
on the country. Recently, the International Labor Organization (ILO) lifted all
sanctions and restored full membership to Myanmar which will help in
strengthening the efforts to create economic development, he said.
The President also talked
about the July 1, 2013 issue of Time Magazine which caused much anguish and
conflict among the public.
“In connection with this
matter, my government accepts that as the country takes its initial steps
towards democracy, there may be different points of view expressed by sections
of the public and national and international media. Indeed, you will be aware
that I have worked to restore freedom of expression, accept plurality of
opinions and reinvigorate civil society,” he said using the state media.
Particularly, he urged the
international media to think about the nation’s reform process that contends
with many facets including multicultural structure and historical events.
Finally, he explained briefly
about the peace-building work carried out in June. He said he met with a
RCSS/SSA delegation led by the group’s chairman. His government has to continue discussing with the KNU and
KNPP, and have improved trust building efforts to support with peace-building,
the President said. According to him, people have to hear good news with
peace-building developments conveying gradually the prospect of long-lasting
peace desired by all citizens.
On the other hand, the
Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) has issued a
statement on 29 June, thanking the government for the 15 day trip to Naypyitaw
and exhorting it to extend its invitation and hospitality to leaders of other
movements as well, according to the Shan Herald Agency News.
“Facilitation by the Union
Peacemaking Work Committee (UPWC) and the Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) had
enabled us to meet and form cordial relations with leaders there. The result
was that we were able to exchange our views and aspirations freely and frankly
with them,” reads the 5-page statement, SHAN said.
As said by the statement, the
President seems to be a “broad-minded” man but unable to make use of his
authority above the military. “There are those within the leadership both who
are for and against change. President Thein Sein has his work cut out for him
in his quest for peace.”
The military, the statement
said, is still bent on resorting to force to resolve differences. Even
Vice-Senior Gen Soe Win, army commander in chief, whom the delegation met with,
acknowledged that the two sides had fought 97 clashes since May 2012.
Although President Thein Sein
has repeatedly affirmed to create long-lasting peace in Shan State, its
military has repeatedly violated ceasefire agreement with Shan State Army which
may lead to damaging the president’s reform aspiration.
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