Government Determined to Implement Roadmap

Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt and wife hosted a social dinner to diplomatic corps led by the Dean Singaporean Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Simon Tensing de Cruz and wife, and resident representatives of UN agencies in Yangon on 2 January. Also present at the dinner were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and wife, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife, ministers and their wives, deputy ministers and their wives, responsible personnel of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, and guests.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt extended greetings and spoke on the occasion. The Prime Minister said: In stark contrast to the strife and uncertainty that prevailed in many parts of the world, Myanmar remained an oasis of peace and stability. The insurgency, which emerged together with our independence, has subsided and people from all parts of the country are enjoying the benefits of peace.

In the economic sphere, Myanmar has been able to overcome the challenges posed by pressures from outside and to achieve the significant growth in our economy. The agricultural sector, which is the backbone of our economy, continues to achieve success qualitatively and quantitatively. The most important development is the decision to liberalize the rice trade, thus further consolidating the market economy in the country. According to the preliminary figures, the number of tourists continues to rise considerably. Cross-border visitors increased by over 20 percent last year.

Important advances had also been accomplished in social field, particularly in health and education sectors. In 2003 alone, 22 new hospitals were opened and 6 existing hospitals upgraded. In the education sector, the national literacy rate increased from 91 percent in 2000 to 92.2 percent in 2003.

A political development that deserved special mention was the laying down of the groundwork for a smooth transition to a disciplined modern democratic state. On 30th August, the Prime Minister outlined a roadmap for transition to democracy. The seven-step roadmap includes reconvening of the National Convention to draft a new constitution, adoption of the constitution by referendum, holding of free and fair election, convening of Hluttaws (Parliament), the election of state leaders and formation of government and other central organs that would lead the nation in the future. The roadmap has been welcomed enthusiastically by all strata of society in Myanmar. It has also won praise and support from the leaders of ASEAN at the Bali Summit in October.

Steps have already been taken to implement the roadmap. The three main organs being necessary for the successful convening of the National Convention, namely the National Convention Convening Commission, the National Convention Work Committee and the National Convention Management Committee have already been formed and are carrying out preparations for the holding of the National Convention.

As Myanmar is composed of over 100 national races, it is of paramount importance that we achieved consensus in the drafting of a new constitution. He had extensively travelled to States and Divisions where the national races live, with the aim of strengthening national unity and for the development of these regions.

Out of the 17 armed groups that had returned to the legal fold, he recently met with the leaders from 6 of them and every group has welcomed the roadmap and reaffirmed its desire to take part in the Convention. He will also be meeting with the remaining groups.