Foreign Minister U Nyan Win addresses the UN General Assembly in New York last Monday. Pic: AFP

FOREIGN Minister U Nyan Win addressed the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York last Monday, calling on the international community to cooperate with the government in implementing democratic reforms in Myanmar.

U Nyan Win said in his speech, which as attended by the world body’s 192 members, that Myanmar was on the track to restore democracy following elections scheduled for 2010, which he said would be held in a “free and fair” manner.

He also sought support from the international community for Myanmar’s new constitution, which was adopted by the government following a national referendum held in May.

“The international community can best assist Myanmar’s democratisation process by respecting the will of its people expressed in the recent referendum,” U Nyan Win said.

The government claimed that the new constitution, meant to pave the way for parliamentary elections in 2010, was approved by more than 92 percent of voters.

“Necessary measures are being undertaken for the elections. All citizens, regardless of political affiliation, will have equal rights to form political parties and to conduct election campaigns,” the minister said.

He therefore called for the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the United States, the European Union and other Western powers since the mid-1990s.

He said the sanctions have worsened the plight of the people of Myanmar, “particularly the most vulnerable among them, women and children”.

“These sanctions are unwarranted. Unilateral sanctions are also against international law,” he said. “They are not only unfair but immoral.”

U Nyan Win said that with the world facing food and energy shortages, Myanmar could be a major source for the both, if investment and technology were made available to the country.

“Myanmar has abundant land and natural resources to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the energy and food security of our country and beyond. In order for us to fulfill our potential we need unfettered access to markets. We need modern technology. We need investment,” he said.

“The sooner the unjust sanctions are revoked and the barriers removed, the sooner will the country be in position to become the rice bowl of the region and a reliable source of energy,” he said.

U Nyan Win said cooperation between Myanmar and the international community in helping victims of cyclone Nargis, which battered the Ayeyarwady delta region in early May, showed that the government was willing to work with the outside world for the benefit people in Myanmar.

He was referring to the establishment of a tripartite working group involving the government, the UN and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which Myanmar is a member, to mount massive relief operations for the people affected by the cyclone.

The working group has helped to ensure systemic aid delivery and to facilitate visits by international aid workers to the areas worst-affected by the cyclone.

“We have been able to demonstrate willingness and ability to work together with the international community,” U Nyan Win said.