Senior General Than Shwe returns from Indonesia after attending Asian-African Summit 2005, Commemoration of Golden Jubilee of Asia-Africa Conference

YANGON, 25 April—Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe arrived back here by special flight of Myanmar Airways International this afternoon after attending the Asian-African Summit 2005 and the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asia-Africa Conference held in Jakarta and Bandung from 22 to 24 April 2005 at the invitation of President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The Myanmar delegation led by Senior General Than Shwe was welcomed back at the Yangon International Airport by Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Senior General Than Shwe, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann and wife Daw Khin Lay Thet, Prime Minister Lt-Gen Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Daw Khin Khin Win, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers, senior military officers, Indonesian Ambassador Mr Wyoso Prodjowarsito and embassy staff, military and civilian officers. Members of the delegation Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, Military Assistant to the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Nay Win, Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Than Aung, Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Director-General U Soe Tint of the Prime Minister’s Office, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department, Director-General U Thaung Tun of Political Department, senior military officers and departmental heads also arrived back on the same flight.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Political freedom without commensurate economic development and human security does not meet fully the aspirations of our peoples for a fairer and more equitable world

YANGON, 25 April— The following is the full text of the speech delivered by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe at the first day session of the Asian-African Summit 2005 held at Jakarta Convention Centre, Jakarta, Indonesia on 22-4-2005.

Distinguished Co-Chairs, Your Excellencies President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia and President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlement,

I would like to begin by congratulating Your Excellencies, the Co-Chairs, for convening this important Summit. I am confident that under your able guidance our deliberations will be fruitful and contribute to inter-regional cooperation in the years ahead.

I am especially delighted to be here in Indonesia, a close friend and neighbour of Myanmar. Our two countries are bound by strong ties of friendship and cooperation that go back to the time of our struggle for independence. I wish to express our deep appreciation to the government and people of Indonesia for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to us and for the excellent arrangements made for the summit.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express again our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the peoples of Aceh and Sumatra in Indonesia as well as to the peoples of the affected countries of the Indian Ocean rim for the unprecedented loss of life and property due to the tsunami of 26 December 2004 and subsequent earthquakes that followed in its wake. We share the grief of our brethren for their irreplaceable loss.

Mr. Co-Chairmen,

We are gathered in this summit to celebrate the golden jubilee of Asia-Africa Conference of 1955. Myanmar is proud to have been among the 29 countries at the Bandung conference and among the Colombo Five that co-sponsored and initiated the historic conference. The ten principles adopted in Bandung remain sacrosanct for developing countries like ours. I would like to urge that we always uphold those principles. The world today is vastly different from that of 1955. At the time the focus was on decolonization. It is a matter of deep satisfaction that all countries in Asia and Africa have regained independence and have moved forward. We have indeed come a long way. However, political freedom without commensurate economic development and human security does not meet fully the aspirations of our peoples for a fairer and more equitable world.

I am therefore pleased to note that the spirit of friendship and cooperation which prevailed between Asia and Africa in past decades has been revived by the successful outcome of the First and Second Asian-African Sub-Regional Conference in Bandung in July 2003 and in Durban in August 2004. The process reaffirms the commitment of Asian and African countries to the principles and framework of cooperation agreed upon at the Bandung Conference.

The ten principles adopted in Bandung continue to be relevant and the spirit of Bandung remains a potent force for closer cooperation between the two regions. What needs to be done now is to galvanize our efforts by adopting an effective and sustainable mechanism for interregional dialogue and cooperation.

We live in an era of rapid change. In recent years we have witnessed significant transformations in many fields. However, the challenges we face are complex and can only be overcome with vision and fortitude.

I am confident that the new strategic partnership we have agreed to launch at this summit will serve as an effective means to enhance solidarity of the two regions.

In view of the common challenges we face, the creation of strong linkages between Asia and Africa is an imperative of the times. Although the countries of our two regions have made progress in the political field, the vast majority of our peoples still remain mired in abject poverty due to the adverse external environment. Our nations are blessed with vast human and natural resources. We must seek ways to complement each other’s strength, and develop workable political, economic and social-cultural programmes to achieve our full potential.

1n this regard, we recognize the crucial role that regional organizations such as the ASEAN, the African Union, the Asia Cooperation Dialogue and the East Asia Summit can make in promoting economic, social and cultural cooperation. I am also convinced that growing people to people contacts will contribute to the success of the new partnership between our two continents. Let us rededicate ourselves to the Bandung principles and strengthen the ties that bind us. Myanmar fully supports the call to reinvigorate the Bandung spirit and to forge a new strategic partnership.

Mr. Co-Chairmen,

With regard to natural disasters, the unmitigated impacts of the tsunami disaster of 26 December should serve to remind us that our two continents are bound together. It is therefore appropriate that we establish an integrated strategy for the development of a multi-nodal early warning system.

In this connection, we must encourage closer interaction among. our experts in sharing best practices and experience. We must empower those at risk to be able to protect themselves by way of capacity building and promoting education and awareness.

Myanmar therefore welcome the joint statement on tsunami, earthquake and other natural disasters to be adopted at this summit. We must work together to ensure that a human catastrophe of the magnitude we experienced recently will never occur again.

Distinguished Co-Chairs, Excellencies, I thank you for your kind indulgence.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Senior General Than Shwe attends Asian-African Summit 2005 in Jakarta

YANGON, 25 April — Asian-African Summit 2005 was opened in Jakarta Convention Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 22 April. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address at the summit.

The opening ceremony was attended by Senior General Than Shwe and 41 heads of State/Government, six vice-presidents and 58 special envoys of 105 Asian and African nations and other countries and representatives of 18 organizations.

Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cordially greeted the heads of state/government and representatives of the respective organizations at the Jakarta Convention Centre.

President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President of South Africa Mr Thabo Mbeki jointly chaired the meeting.

The summit held a one-minute silence in memory of the earthquake victims of Ache, northern Sumatra and surrounding areas of Sumatra.

President Mr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered the opening address. President Mr Thabo Mbeki also delivered an address.

The opening ceremony concluded after UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan delivered an address. The heads of State/Government and representatives of organizations posed for souvenir photos and cordially greeted one another. Members of the Myanmar delegation Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint and Director-General of the Political Department U Thaung Tun also attended the summit.

Military Assistant to State Peace and Development Council Chairman Maj-Gen Nay Win, Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Aung, Myanmar Ambassador to Indonesia U Kyaw Myint, SPDC Office Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein and departmental heads of the delegation attended the opening ceremony as observers at Cendrawasih Room.

The sessions of the summit were held in Plenary Hall at 10 am. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Hassan Wirajuda explained the results of the 2005 Asian-African Ministerial Meeting.

Concerning the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership, President Mr Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, King of Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, President Mr Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, President of Algeria Mr Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Prime Minister of Japan Mr Junichiro Koizumi, and Prime Minister of Malaysia Mr Dato Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi delivered addresses.

When the summit took a recess for a luncheon at noon, Prime Minister for Republic of Korea Mr Lee Hae-chan and Prime Minister of Japan Mr Junichiro Koizumi called on Senior General Than Shwe. The luncheon was held at Assembly Hall 2 of the centre.

In the afternoon session, President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, President of Ghana Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Hun Sen and President of Vietnam Mr Tran Duc Luong gave speeches.

Then, the Senior General delivered an address (reported separately).

Afterwards, President of Zimbabwe Mr RG Mugabe, President of Malawi Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika and President of Mongolia Mr Natsagyn Bagabandi made speeches.

In the evening session, President of Madagascar Mr Ravalomanana, President of Afghanistan Mr Hamid Karzai, Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong, President of Sudan Mr Omer Hassan Ahmed, His Majesty Gyanendra King of Nepal, President of the Philippines Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of Botswana Mr Fetus G Mogae, President of Komores Mr Monsieur Azali Assoumani, Prime Minister of ROK Lee Hae-chan, Prime Minister of Tunisia Mr Mohamed Ghannouchi, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Mr Kim Yong Nam, and Prime Minister of Morocco Mr Driss Jettou delivered addresses.

As there was no opposition to the communiqué of the summit, the meeting chairman approved it. The summit was adjourned at 6.45 pm. Together with heads of state/government of other nations, the Senior General signed the communiqué.

The Indonesian President hosted a dinner in honour of the Senior General and other heads of state/government and representatives of organizations at Istana Negara in Jakarta.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Senior General Than Shwe attends second day session of Asian-African Summit

YANGON, 25 April — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe attended the second day session of the Asian-African Summit held at the Plenary Hall of Jakarta Convention Centre in the Republic of Indonesia on 23 April 2005.

The summit was attended by heads of State / Government from the nations of Asia and Africa and other nations and representatives of organizations.

At the start of the second day session, heads of State / Government from the nations of Asia and Africa delivered speeches on a New Asian-African Strategic Partnership.

Together with the Senior General at the summit were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint and Myanmar Ambassador to Indonesia U Kyaw Myint, Military Assistant to the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Maj-Gen Nay Win, Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Aung, the Director General of the SPDC Office and heads of department observed the holding of the second day session of the summit at Cendrawasih Room.

During the recess of the summit, Senior General Than Shwe cordially met Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Mr Lee Hsien Loong at the recreation center.

When the summit resumed, leaders of representative groups and observers of respective nations delivered speeches. Next, the chairman of the Indonesian Traders Association presented matters related to the Asian-African Economic Summit to the summit.

Afterwards, the summit approved the declaration of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership and the declaration of tsunami disaster.

Later, the summit concluded at 6.30 pm after the speeches delivered by South African President Mr Thabo Mbeki and Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who jointly presided over the summit.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Senior General Than Shwe arrives Jakarta to attend Asian-African Summit 2005 and Commemoration of Golden Jubilee of Asia-Africa Conference

YANGON, 25 April — At the invitation of President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, Military Assistant to the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Nay Win, Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Aung, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and heads of departments, left here by special flight of Myanma Airways International at noon on 21 April to attend the Asian-African Summit 2005 and the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asia-Africa Conference to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The special aircraft carrying Senior General Than Shwe and party arrived at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport in Jakarta at 4.25 pm local time. Myanmar Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia U Kyaw Myint and Head of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Mr Djoko Hardomo boarded the plane and welcomed them.

Senior General Than Shwe was also welcomed by State Minister of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Kusmayanto Kadiman. A young Indonesian girl presented a garland to Senior General Than Shwe. Members of the welcoming party welcomed Senior General Than Shwe and party. A young girl of Myanmar Embassy presented a bouquet to Senior General Than Shwe who was welcomed by Daw Win Win Nyunt, wife of Myanmar Ambassador, Military Attache Brig-Gen Khin Maung Soe and wife Daw Kyi Kyi San, embassy staff and families. Senior General Than Shwe and party went to Jakarta Hilton Hotel where they would be staying.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Senior General Than Shwe attends Commemoration of Golden Jubilee of Asia-Africa Conference

YANGON, 25 April— Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, together with Heads of State/Heads of Government of Asia and Africa, attended the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia on 24 April.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, Heads of State/Heads of Governments of Asian and African countries, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win and the ministers of Asian and African countries, arrived at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport at 6.30 am.

Heads of State/Government left for Bandung by special flight and arrived there and went to Savoy Himann Hotel. At 9 am, they had a historical walk along Asia-Africa Street to the Merdeka building where the commemoration of the golden jubilee would be held. They arrived at the building and they had taken documentary photos.

Next, the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference was held. Students of Padjadjaran University in Bandung sang a song “Halo Halo Bandung”.

Afterwards, President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered an opening address. On behalf of African countries, President of the Republic of Nigeria Mr Olusegun Obasanjo delivered a speech, on behalf of Asian countries, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr Manmohan Singh and on behalf of other invited guests, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President of the Republic of South Africa Mr Thabo Mbeki signed the statement of the Asian-African Summit. The students of Padjadjaran University in Bandung sang songs.

After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and the Heads of State/Government went to Tegallega Garden and grew commemorative plants from Asia and Africa. This morning, Senior General Than Shwe and party arrived at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport from Jarkata Hilton Hotel by motorcade.

They were seen off at the airport by Myanmar Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia U Kyaw Myint and wife, Military Attache Brig-Gen Khin Maung Soe and wife and embassy staff and families. Senior General Than Shwe bids farewell to officials from Indonesia.

Senior General Than Shwe and party arrived back here in the afternoon.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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