ˇˇˇˇYANGON, January 2 (Xinhuanet,By Duan Tingchang ) --
Year 2001 was one in which the Myanmar military government has scored greater
achievements on itsdiplomatic front since it took over power in 1988.
ˇˇˇˇThe frequent exchange of visits at high levels between Myanmar and foreign
countries highlighted Myanmar's diplomatic achievements in this year.
ˇˇˇˇAccording to incomplete statistics, in 2001, the presidents of China,
Pakistan and Indonesia, prime ministers of Malaysia, Thailand and Laos, Lao
National Assembly president, deputy prime minister of Thailand and
vice-president of Laos visited Myanmar.
ˇˇˇˇMeanwhile, Chairman of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council
(SPDC) and Prime Minister Senior-General Than Shwe successively toured Malaysia
and Brunei, and SPDC First Secretary Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt went to
Thailand and Brunei.
ˇˇˇˇThese exchange of visits at high levels has enhanced the
mutualunderstanding and expanded the common views, paving the way for
strengthening bilateral friendly and cooperative ties in the new century.
ˇˇˇˇAnother fact that signified Myanmar's diplomatic achievements is that the
country hashosted a series of regional meetings in 2001.
ˇˇˇˇThese meetings were the Retreat Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Third Meeting of Trade and
Economic Ministers of the BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and
Thailand-Economic Cooperation), Regional Committee Meeting of the World Health
Organization South East Asia Region, Ministerial Meeting of Six MOU countries (
China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) on Drug Control in the
Subregion of East Asia and the Pacific, Senior Officials Meeting Among China,
Laos, Myanmar and Thailand on Drug Control, Meeting of the SME (small and medium
enterprises) Agencies Working Group of the ASEAN and Tenth Ministerial
Conference on Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation.
ˇˇˇˇThese meetings have expanded Myanmar's diplomatic space to certain extent,
adding to the degree of popularity of the country internationally and enhancing
the development of its friendly and cooperative ties with foreign countries.
ˇˇˇˇDuring this year, Myanmar also successively forged diplomatic ties with
Uzbekistan and Uruguay, bringing to 88 the total number of countries with which
Myanmar has diplomatic links in the world.Up to now, Myanmar has opened 30
embassies, two permanent missionsand two consulates-general in the world.
ˇˇˇˇIn 2001, Myanmar's military diplomacy also bore rich fruits. During the
year, high-level military delegations of India, Pakistan, China, Thailand,
Russia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia have visited Myanmar.
ˇˇˇˇA fleet of Pakistani naval vessels, comprising a sub-marine, a destroyer
and a tanker, made a nearly-week-long friendly call at Myanmar's Yangon Port,
registering the first ever visit to a Myanmar port by foreign military vessels
in several decades.
ˇˇˇˇIn addition, Myanmar and Russia also signed a contract in August 2001 on
the sale of 10 Russian MIG-29 fighter aircrafts to Myanmar worth 130 million
U.S. dollars. It was the first time for Russia to sell such fighters to Myanmar.
Equipped with these advanced fighters, Myanmar air force's fighting capability
will greatly increase.
ˇˇˇˇA fact that deserves special mention is that in 2001, Myanmar made a
break-through in breaking the sanctions imposed by western nations. A convicing
example is that Japan, ignoring the strong pressure exerted by the
United-States-led "Rich-Country Club", absolutely resumed its Official
Development Assistance to Myanmar that had been terminated for 13 years.
ˇˇˇˇBesides, during the year, the Japanese government also provideddebt relief
to Myanmar for two times totalling as high as 3.594 billion yens (about 29.22
million dollars).
ˇˇˇˇDespite some achievements made on its diplomatic front, Myanmaris now still
facing many difficulties and challenges.
ˇˇˇˇUnder the pretext of human rights, democracy and labor issues, western
countries continuously put pressures on Myanmar. Up to now,the U.S. and member
nations of the European Union have not yet lifted their sanctions against
Myanmar for many years.
ˇˇˇˇMyanmar has upheld the following basic principles as part of its present
foreign policy -- the observance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence,
adherence of the U.N. Charter,and maintenance of friendly relations with all
countries in the world, particularly its neighboring countries.
ˇˇˇˇIt has strongly opposed the interference, aggression and control of a
country by another. In defiance, Myanmar has stand firm in accepting foreign
assistance only without any pre-conditions attached. Enditem
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