MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE, YANGON
Information Sheet

N0. C- 2801( I/L )
16th October, 2003

Working Together to Bring Democracy to Myanmar

Myanmar is at a historic crossroads. We have embarked on a new road to democracy, a road that will take all the 52 million people of Myanmar to a better future.

This road will not be easy. Building a democratic state, while noble, is a complex and difficult endeavor, particularly in a country like Myanmar, which is comprised of more than 130 different ethnic groups, and a country which suffered from more than 4 decades of ethnic strife.

Patience and wisdom will be required. Rushing to quick and simplistic answers will mean failures, and history is full of democracies which have failed. Myanmar’s future is too important to be wasted in rash and hasty acts. Building strong long-lasting democracy is not a race.

This spirit of partnership and cooperation, as demonstrated by the ASEAN partners at the Bali Summit, is deeply shared by Myanmar. Therefore, with the support of our fellow member states in the ASEAN, and our other partners in the international community, the Government of Myanmar will carry out policies towards building a democratic state as laid out in the road map announced by the Prime Minister on 30 August, 2003.

This road map is designed to lay the foundation for a stable and successful democracy.

As we move forward step by step we will be ensuring that the democracy we adopt will endure for future generations.

Fortunately, Myanmar is not alone on this path. Many nations are helping us move out of the isolation of the past, and into the democracy of the future.

These nations understand that if a democracy is to last, it must be built on a solid social and economic foundation. The fewer problems a new democracy faces, the more chance it will have of success. Therefore, they are working with us to develop the economy, improve health care and education, stop the illegal drug trade, and link Myanmar with the outside world in dozens of new ways. All these efforts are smoothing the path to democracy.

Some would say isolating Myanmar will promote change. But it is hard to see the logic in this. Myanmar was in self isolation for decades, which prevented any change at all. Closed off from the outside world, Myanmar was unable to move toward democracy and a market economy. But now Myanmar has opened its doors and is entering a new era, with new ideas.

So now is not the time to criticize and point fingers; now is the time to join hands to achieve the noble task ahead. Together, a strong, peaceful and lasting democracy in Myanmar can be built.

Therefore, as we move along the chosen road to democracy, we extend once again a welcoming hand to all those who support democracy and wish to see it flourish in Myanmar and throughout the world.