INTERVIEW WITH LT.-GENERAL KHIN NYUNT, SECRETARY-1 OF THE STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

April 1999, by Delphine Evmoon

International and Economic Affairs

What is your vision of the foreign policy of your country with ASEAN and with China?

Lt.-General Khin Nyunt: The essence of Myanmar's foreign policy is to develop friendly relations with all the countries of the world, particularly with its neighbours. Myanmar therefore joined ASEAN with a view to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity through cooperation and integration with other nations of the Southeast Asia On the other hand, China is not only a neighbouring country but also one of the most important trading and economic partners. We therefore look forward to working together with both ASEAN and China for mutual benefit in the interests of peace and progress.

What do you think about the very strong position of the United States and the United Kingdom, for the most important, against the Union of Myanmar?

Previously, Myanmar maintained cordial relations with both United States and United Kingdom. Unfortunately, our relations with these countries have cooled down after 1988. We believe that it is not our doing since we have always desired good relations with them, as we are fully aware of their importance in the world today, We also know that with their cooperation in terms of development and technical fields, we shall be able to march towards our goal for progress and modernization at a much more rapid pace. As such, we have done our best to promote good relations with these countries. Unfortunately, they have adopted a very negative attitude against our country because of their own political agenda. As a responsible Government, we have to place the interests of the country and its people utmost and we cannot always do as they want or follow their advice and suggestions due to the unique circumstances of Myanmar. We hope that both United States and United Kingdom will realize that we all have the same aim: to see the emergence of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Myanmar.

And with the position of Europe which is stronger than before against your country?

I would not fully agree with your statement that Europe as a whole has taken a stronger position against us: There may be some nations that have adopted a more intransigent attitude but there are also many European countries who are more flexible and whose positions are more balanced and objective.

What do you think about the economical position of France with the Union of Myanmar?

Myanmar has always enjoyed cordia1 and friendly relations with France and the two sides have also benefited from fruitfu1 cooperation in the economic sphere. It is our belief as well as our hope that France will have a better understanding and appreciation of the challenges we face and as a friendly nation work with us in meeting and overcoming these challenges. We are also deeply gratified that our economic activities are proceeding satisfactorily. But we should not be complacent for there exists a huge potential for our two countries to cooperate with each other for mutual benefit. Myanmar has the greatest respect for French technology-and expertise and by combining them with Myanmar's natural resources, it would prove to be very advantageous for both sides. We therefore would like the French business circles to visit our country more extensively and see the potentials for investment.

Why, if we want to compare the Union of Myanmar with the Vietnam- two countries which began to open to foreign investments almost in the same time-the Union of Myanmar is still late with banks, telecommunications and aviation systems...? Do you think this problem could come from the way of how the Government of your country takes the decision?

I do not believe that it is a question of decision-making process since it has been streamlined as much as possible in terms of investment. Of course, each country has its own rules, regulations and procedures in keeping with its conditions. Also, there is the matter of priorities. At the same time, it is generally recognized that Myanmar has one of the most liberal investment laws in the region, which can be beneficial for the investors. Therefore, the issue is not internal laws and regulations but because some western countries have added a political dimension by mixing economics with politics.

Internal Affairs

Drugs

You could read in the foreign media that some businessmen of the Union of Myanmar who are involved in the drug trafficking (if you read the International Narcotic Control Strategy Report of the United States), could continue to do both activities business and drug trafficking-through clean companies and with your agreement?

This is one of the false allegations directed against our efforts for the elimination of narcotic drugs. The United States DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) has an office in Yangon and there exists cooperation between that office and Myanmar anti-narcotics authorities. Moreover, United States Opium Yield Survey Teams have carried out surveys together with our people for four times already. So, their drug enforcement people know how much we are doing in this area. Unfortunately, for political reasons, people in Washington continue to ignore the unprecedented advances we have made in the fight to eliminate narcotic drugs. This is an issue we inherited from our colonial past and which is very complex in nature as it involves political, economic and social undertones. We are committed to total elimination of narcotic drugs but there naturally must be a certain period of time needed to achieve this objective. Moreover, this cannot be accomplished without the participation of the local communities and their leaders. Now because of our efforts and the successes attained in winning over the hearts and minds of the people, the national races leaders have pledged to eliminate narcotic drugs within a certain time period and we find them doing their best to fulfil their obligations and promises. Responsible persons from the western nations had met and discussed with these people and so they know the situation. You yourself were with me when we made trip to one such area and you had opportunity to personally interview the local community leaders. So, there is no truth in this one-sided and deliberate allegation.

Why did you refuse the extradition of Khun Sa to the United States when he surrendered?

Through our own efforts and without the assistance from anyone, we were able to bring about unconditional surrender of Khun Sa and his Mong Tai Army. Khun Sa himself made a pledge that he would not be involved with narcotic drugs in any way and abide the arrangements made by the Government. As you know, previously we had sacrificed hundreds of lives of our men each year in our struggle for the elimination of the narcotics menace. Because of the unconditional surrender of Khun Sa and his men, it has lightened the duties of the armed forces and made possible for more effective counter narcotics measures. So, now that he has totally given up his involvement in narcotics in his own accord and is living to the promises given to the Government, there exists no reason to extradite him to the United States to be tried as a criminal.

Internal affairs

Why do you refuse to dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi?

Allow me to inform you about our attitude regarding the process of dialogue. We regard dialogue not as a single event but as a process involving several stages. First, there must be initial contact. This will be followed up by trying to engage each other in discussions in order to build confidence. Once confidence-building is achieved, then this could lead to substantive discussions. This is the process we tried to follow when I initiated discussions on the 1 8th August with U Aung Shwe, who as you know is the Chairman of the NLD and therefore the most responsible person of the NLD party. My intention was to build up confidence between the two sides. The talks went quite well and I was hoping to continue the process the very next week. However, the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi began to insist that there could not be any meeting without the participation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Moreover, they also said that my meeting with U Aung Shwe was aimed at causing splits in their ranks. All these actions on the part of NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi show that also they keep saying that they want to have a dialogue with the Government. They are actually not sincere and are not interested in meaningful and genuine dialogue and are trying to create obstacles in the path to discussions between the two sides. For example, as I mentioned, I met with U Aung Shwe on the l 8th August. But their response was to issue a proclamation calling for the convening of the Parliament on their own on the 21st August. As such, we can only conclude that they would like to derail the process of dialogue in spite of all their political posturing.

Some members of the NLD resigned every day. You could read outside that it is because the Government forced them with strong pressure on them or on their family. Could you comment please?

There is no truth in these false allegations. Many of the NLD members had stated in front of the press and television cameras that they resigned because they no longer believed in the NLD or its leadership and that they were doing so voluntarily and without compulsion. Indeed, they explained that they were fed up with the confrontational stance of the NLD leadership particularly by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in trying to convene the Parliament unilaterally. That is the reason for these people resigning from the NLD and not from any compulsion from the Government.

Education

Because of the universities, which are closed, foreign media speak about "lost generations". What do you think about that?

This misperception came about because the foreign media is not aware about the true situation in the country. Not all higher institutes are closed and some post-graduate courses are being held without interruption throughout this period. Moreover, it may be recalled that last August, examinations for all university classes were held throughout the nation. The closing of universities is only temporary and we are trying to re-open them in the near future. So, there is no problem of a lost generation.

The State Peace and Development Council (S.P.D.C.)

The Government began a new Constitution in 1993. When the Constitution will be finish?

This is a question, which has been asked frequently. Because of the special characteristics of our nation, we are trying to reach consensus in the National Convention that is drafting the guidelines of the new Constitution. Myanmar is a nation composed of 135 different national races and you will appreciate that it can be a very delicate matter especially when it concerns such topics as sharing of power in the legislative, executive and judicial branches. As such, a certain time must be allowed for the divergent interests of various groups to converge. At the same time, we wish to assure you that the Government has no desire to prolong this process and once the Constitution is promulgated, the Government will hand over state power to the constitutional Government.

Foreign people think that inside the S.P.D.C. there are two different branches, which are both running to the power: one follows your side and the other, the side of General Maung Aye, with both two different ways of thinking. You could read too about the real role of U Ne Win in the important decisions of the country and the real actual role of the President of the country, Senior-General Than Shwe, Could you comment please?

This is a myth and a misinformation first spread by expatriate dissident groups and then picked by the media with the malicious aim of causing splits or at least give the impression of splits in the S.P.D.C. There is no substance whatever in these allegations. The members of the S.P.D.C. may have different responsibilities and different roles, but we are all working unitedly and as a team under the leadership of our Chairman Senior General Than Shwe. As for your query on U Ne Win, you must first understand our Myanmar thinking and tradition. In Myanmar, since the majority of our population is Buddhists, when we reach an advanced age, we would like to devote our lives in religion. Therefore, in his case also, he has retired completely from politics and is now engaged in religious devotion only. Since he is no longer in political matters, the question of his influence time this sphere no longer arises.

What could you say about the forced enrolment of military people in the country?

This is misinformation, which originates from insurgent sources. Recruitment in the military in Myanmar is entirely voluntary. There is no forced enrolment since there are enough young people who wish to serve in the military because of their patriotism.

What about the forced moves of a lot of villages in the country when a project of a new construction has to be realized on their area?

Sometimes, there are occasions when people have to be relocated because of the construction of new projects. This is really a natural phenomenon, which is occurring everywhere in the world. If you are constructing a dam, of course the villages downstream have to be moved. However, we are doing this in a systematic way by consulting the villagers beforehand and trying to make the disruption to their lives as little as possible. We also informed them about the benefits that they would obtain from the projects. Therefore, there are no genuine complaints from the villagers who realize it is they themselves and their communities, which will benefit in the long run.

What about the corruption of official people in the Government?

No country in the world is free from corruption. Although there may be some instances in the country, they are not endemic or widespread. At the same time, we are trying our best to eliminate corruption.

In some French articles, the name, which is given to you is the "Prince of the darkness". What do you think about this?

I read an article or two that carried the term you mentioned. As you and I met each other a number of times and you yourself have accompanied me to various places in the country, I leave it to you to answer the question. Personally, I would like to think of myself as a servant of the people who is trying to do his best for the country.