Chairman of the State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, currently in Russian Federation, answers the questions raised by Mr. Fedor Lukyanov, anchorperson of International Review program of Russia 24 at Metropol Hotel on 22 June at an interview. The following is the interview.
take action under the law. So, we don’t have any refusal over the event. In fact, such event is based on malpractices in the elections performed in a practice of democracy. Although such event could be cleared in the early stage, the problem happened due to absence of
holding the dialogues to address the malpractices. I have declared the five-point road map as our future plans since we took the office. If the state of emergency and appropriate processes would have been completed, I have given a promise to hold an election in a democratic way without fail. But, the country needs to be peaceful and stable. The situation must have completion of necessary preparations for forthcoming election. If so, I’d like to say the election will be held without fail.
Q: Do you find it difficult to give an exact deadline for election now?
A: It depends on peace and stability of current situation. Our constitution stipulates declaration of the state of emergency for one year. If the work process is not accomplished, I must report to the responsible organization to extend the six-month term two times. It may be one year or two years. Roughly, I’d like to say the election would be held within two years. I can reply so. Now, our country does not reach the cent per cent peace and stability. So, we need to consider it. Now, it is too early to say it but the election may be held within two years.
Q: We have learnt that the whole world takes interest in Myanmar as it serves as both militarily and economically strategic location for Southeast Asia and South Asia. Looking at Yangon, how do you act to ensure peace and stability there? Who is mainly responsible for this? What connections do you have with them?
A: It depends on outlook of western bloc. Our country is located in strategic position of geographical conditions in Southeast Asia. Our country sharing border with the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal is close to powerful China and India. They are interested in geographical condition of our country. They are interested in our country on the political ground. In the post independence period, Myanmar exercised the parliamentary democracy at first. When the Revolutionary Council has emerged, the country marched forward in the socialist programme. At that time, the people aspired the multiparty system. In 1988, the unrests happened and then, the government fell in 1988. Then, the Tatmadaw maintained the country under control. So, we walk along the path of democracy the people aspired. In 2011, we marched onward
the way of democracy. They are interested in the politics of democracy, geographical condition of the country and political ground. So, I review that generally, the western countries wish to interfere in internal affairs of our country.
Q: Under current global political circumstances, power rivalry and confrontation between China and the US are intensifying significantly. These two powerful countries want
Asian countries to cooperate so that they can be under the influence of the countries they like. Asian countries themselves are found to be cooperating with the countries they have good diplomatic relations with. What is your opinion about this political setting?
A: Our country is a member of ASEAN. For the first point, we are a member state of the United Nations. We regained independence in 1948. We have experiences of the colonial era. I have already said Myanmar sharing border with India and China. According to our
country’s history and geopolitics we passed, we exercised the non-aligned foreign policy. Later, we practised the independent and active foreign policy and then friendly relations policy with all countries and the policy based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence. So, Myanmar has friendship countries only but enemy ones. As you refer, the USA is also Myanmar’s friend but it is in some far distance. But, our neighbouring China and India are
our close friends. Whatever it may be,we must place emphasis on the neigh-bouring relations. Any country cannot deny it. The neighbouring relations must not be improper. We have mutual cooperation with them. We also do cooperation with other countries. We have relations with the USA but both countries are in some distance due to various reasons. The politics with them is also cool due to far distance. Hence, they are slightly strange in comparison with our neighbouring countries. But, we decided to join hands with all the countries amicably. Moreover, being a member of ASEAN, we do the process in line with the practices of ASEAN.
Q: We say the US is a distant friend and China a close friend. How about Russia?
A: Russia is a very friendly among the friend countries. You ask me for the United States only, so I referred to China and USA. Russia is our old and good friend. Despite being far distance in the political ground, souls of both countries are so close. Both countries are in a far distance but minds are close. Both countries have common historical conditions. We are similar in struggling. So, I’d like to dug Russia as our perpetual friend.
Q: Since the mid-19th century before the official establishment of the Russia-Myanmar friendship, Russian diplomatic delegations visited Myanmar which also sent its delegations.
During that period, both countries have understood each other. As you said, we
are real intimate friends. Meanwhile, bilateral cooperation has improved. Are you satisfied with such progress and success? While seeking full coo-peration, there can be processes yet to be implemented. When it comes to Russia-Myanmar cooperation, how much process can there be to be carried out? I would like to know what you will do for this.
A: Russian-Myanmar relations have been good throughout history. In the 1990s, relations were better especially in military technological cooperation. It is very encouraging. Myanmar is a developing country. At a time when we are trying to develop our country, we need abundant human resources. A lot of our citizens have been sent to Russia for their studies. There are over 7,000. Many outstanding persons have emerged from trainings here. They are participating extensively in nation-building tasks. When it comes to cooperation sector, the military technological cooperation that I have said is the deepest. There are also joint ventures. Yet, what we need to do more is bilateral contacts, trade, global tourism, culture and cooperation in sports, education and health. Russia has a very high health standard. I see those fields as very wide. I intend to do everything I can do within my capacity. I think we will have a better future.
Q: Among the sectors you talked about, I have come to review that tourism is such a promising sector. At a time when Russia has stopped tourism activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a lot of Russian people willing to travel. If Russia has the chance when the preventive measures go well, Russian people will come to Myanmar by grabbing that chance. Thank you for answering my questions.
A: Well. If we have a lot of contacts, we will have more intimacy and trust. This is why more cooperation is necessary in various sectors to have more contacts between the two peoples. Then, we will have greater trust and better friendship. Humans are building up things with trust and confidence. I expect Russian investment in Myanmar. I also hope for a situation where international tourists can come to our country as early as possible. Anyhow, I will do my best.
Myawady