ASEAN WANTS MYANMAR TO RELEASE SUU KYI

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, May 19 (Bernama) -- Thailand, the current Asean chair and a close
neighbour of Myanmar, today expressed its grave concern over the move by the
country's military junta to try opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In a statement, it reminded the Myanmar Government that Asean leaders had
called for the immediate release of the Nobel Peace laureate.

"Furthermore, the Government of Myanmar, as a responsible member of Asean,
has the responsibility to protect and promote human rights. It is therefore
called upon to provide timely and adequate medical care to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
as well as to accord her humane treatment with dignity," the Thai Foreign
Ministry said.

Thailand said that with the eyes of the international community on Myanmar
at present, the honour and the credibility of the Myanmar Government were at
stake.

Thailand, as the Asean chair, reaffirmed the regional grouping's readiness
to contribute constructively to the national reconciliation process and the
peaceful transition of democracy in Myanmar.

The democracy fighter was put on trial Monday for allegedly violating her
house arrest condition by allowing American war veteran John Yettaw, who
apparently swam across the Inya Lake, to stay at her heavily-guarded house for
two days.

Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the
past 19 years and was supposed to be released on May 27, faces five years in
jail if found guilty.
-- BERNAMA