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Foreign Policy of The Union of Myanmar |
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(A) Emergence of Foreign Policy
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A State attains
some of its national objectives by adopting and implementing its domestic
policies. However as it is interrelated with other states, it becomes necessary
to adopt policies that would persuade other states to react favorably. To
attain such objectives, a state needs to establish diplomatic relations with
other states and work in concert towards joint resolutions and cooperative
implementations of common issues. The conduct of such relations in a systematic
and consistent manner is said to be the Foreign Policy of a State. Both
domestic and Foreign Policies are intended to attain objectives of national
interest. They are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.
To study the
Foreign Policy of a State it is necessary to observe the basic objectives of
its policy or its fundamental strategy. In adopting a Foreign Policy, States
usually adopt one of the following principles:-
(1)isolationism
(2)non-alignment
(3)polarization
Myanmar, since
achieving independence, and for quite some time thereafter, adopted and
practised an "independent"and "non-aligned"Foreign Policy. Evolution of the
objectives of this policy may be observed as follows- At the time of Myanmar's
independence, the international system has an Eastern and Western bloc, between
which a "Cold War" was raging. It was also the time when colonial nations were
regaining their independence.These newly independent states were in favour of
adopting "independent" Foreign Policies," "independent"in the sense of being
totally free of outside influence. For Myanmar, which wrested independence with
great difficulty, only an "independent" Foreign Policy was congruent with
independence. Concurrently with independence, Myanmar faced an internal
insurgency and therefore wished to avoid a disastrous contention on its soil
between the Eastern and Western blocs.Hence it wished to be non-aligned between
the two great blocs.
At the time of
independence, it was essential to prioritize on economic and social
reconstruction.It was declared at that time that foreign assistance , without
any strings attached from both sides, will be accepted.
As Myanmar is
geographically situated between two highly populous nations, India and China,
it desired to be independent and non-aligned. For the above mentioned reasons
Myanmar consistently practised an Independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy.
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(B) Independent and Active Foreign Policy
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Beginning in 1971
Myanmar transformed its independent and non-aligned Foreign Policy to an
independent and active Foreign Policy. The State Law and Order Restoration
Council , by its Declaration 3/88 of 18.9.88 promulgated that it would continue
to adhere to the independent and active foreign policy.In practising its
Independent and Active Foreign Policy, Myanmar will not align itself with any
bloc on international issues except to consistently stand on the side that is
right.Myanmar also actively participates in activities for world peace; opposes
war, imperialism and colonialsm; and maintains friendly relations with all
countries.
Myanmar practises
the Independent and Active Foreign Policy in accordance with the following
principles: respect of and adherence to the principle of equality among peoples
and among nations and the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence; taking a
non-aligned, independent and just stand in international issues; maintaining
friendly relations with all nations, and good-neighbourly relations with
neighbouring countries; continued support of, and active participation in, the
United Nations and its affiliated organisations; pursuance of mutually
beneficial bilateral and multilateral cooperation programmes; regional
consultation and beneficial cooperation in regional economic and social
affairs; active participation in the maintenance of international peace and
security and the creation of an equitable economic order and opposition to
imperialism, colonialism, intervention, aggression and hegemonism; acceptance
of foreign assistance which is beneficial to national development, provided
there are no strings attached;
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(C) The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence
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In 1954 Myanmar,
China and India, during Chinese Premier Chou En Lai's visit to India and
Myanmar expounded the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Accordingly, on
28.6.1954 China and India signed in New Delhi and on 29.6.1954 Myanmar and
China signed in Yangon, agreements to adhere to these Five Principles of
Peaceful Co-existence. The Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence are:
(1)mutual respect for each other's territorial
integrity and sovereignty;
(2)to abide by mutual non-agression;
(3)non-interference in each other's internal affairs;
(4)respect for mutual equality and to work for mutual
benefit; and
(5)peaceful co-existence
The above Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence still steadfastly remain the
main cornerstone of Myanmar Foreign Policy.
In matters of world affairs and international issues, in line with the
principles and purposes of the United Nations and on the basis of the
principles of Peaceful Co-existence, Myanmar has acted as follows;
actively participating in United Nations activities in accordance with its own
basic principle;
- consistently supporting disarmament;
- opposing arms race, production and sales;
- supporting national liberation movements;
- supporting decolonialization;
- opposing aggression of imperialists;
- opposing colonialism, apartheid and racial discrimination;
- supporting efforts to ensure world peace; and
- opposing aggressive imperialistic wars.
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Legal & General Consideration
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Religious
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12 Months' Festivals
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References
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Travel & Tour
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