The official statement from the Chairman of the Conference which I will now read out will be released to the media. Allow me first just to say a few words.
On behalf of Myanmar and on behalf of all of us in ASEAN, first, I would like to thank all of you for the good work you have done, for your pledges of support and most importantly, for your affection and goodwill to the people of Myanmar.
We know that there is still a lot of work to be done. There have been calls for greater access to information, for road blocks to be cleared. I hope this will be done step by step in the coming days, weeks and months. I think all of us have agreed that the immediate priority must be on the relief efforts in the coming months before we talk about full reconstruction. And there is assurance of better damage assessment and greater access.
Many countries have stated that they will give more. It is for lack of information that not more has been given at this particular point in time. The problem is not one of generosity but of establishing greater trust between Myanmar and the world community.
Mr Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, you came here to Myanmar with a message of hope for the people here. And indeed, when we saw pictures of you having a two-hour meeting with Senior General Than Shwe and visiting the refugee camps, our hearts leapt because we felt yes, we are at a turning point. We thank you for your tireless efforts and for saying that you will come again. And indeed, we want a good claim on your time, attention and energy even though that we know that a hundred priorities and duties await you at the UN. Thank you, Secretary-General Ban.
Prime Minister Thein Sein, when the ASEAN Foreign Ministers met in Singapore on Monday, we did not know whether we would be able to come to any agreement and I must report to you that when we did finally achieve agreement after Foreign Minister Nyan Win called from Naypyidaw, there was a wave of relief that ASEAN could play a role in helping to bridge the gap between the world and Myanmar, for it was that psychological gap which we have to bridge for the aid to be able to flow in.
Prime Minister Thein Sein, we thank you for opening your heart to us, for opening your country to us and we assure you that we will match your welcome. Indeed, I believe many countries here will more than match your welcome with aid, assistance and expertise, for all of us mean you well.
Let me, by way of closing, talk about the role of ASEAN. At the Foreign Minister's Meeting on Monday, there was a moment where we asked ourselves what Myanmar meant to ASEAN and what ASEAN meant to Myanmar. At that moment, suddenly all minds were clarified and it was clear that there was no other way but this way. And because ASEAN has its own credibility both with Myanmar and with the rest of the world, so ASEAN is able to play this particular role. We can never hope to match the resources, the abilities, capabilities of the UN and its organisations, or the many international organisations and NGOs who have been so ready to come forth with assistance, but before there can be a matching of demand to supply, there has to be trust and a mechanism. And that trust and mechanism, ASEAN will work hard to provide. It is still a long road forward and one which has many obstacles in front of us, and if we persist with goodwill and understanding, I believe we can clear these obstacles one at a time. It is true I heard what the Spanish Ambassador said – we are late but better late than never.
At least now, we are on the right road and if we keep to that road and clear the obstacles one at a time, that road will lead to a better future for the people of Myanmar. So, I thank all of you for making this journey here at such short notice. I thank Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon for your good offices. I thank Prime Minister Thein Sein, Senior General Than Shwe, the government and people of Myanmar, for welcoming us all here to be your partners in recovery and progress. Thank you.
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