ID :
74987
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 18:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/74987
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ASEAN DISAPPOINTED OVER SUU KYI'S CONVICTION
By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand, the current Asean Chair, has
expressed disappointment that Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was
sentenced to serve 18 months' house confinement with limited freedom.
In a statement issued by the Thai Foreign Ministry, a day after the verdict,
Thailand reiterated calls made by the Asean Foreign Ministers at their
annual meeting last month, where they had called for the immediate release of
all those under detention, including Suu Kyi.
Thailand said their release was important to enable them to participate in
the 2010 General Elections.
"Such actions will contribute to national reconciliation among the people of
Myanmar, meaningful dialogue and facilitate the democratisation of Myanmar,"
said the ministry.
Thailand, which is due to hand over the chairmanship to Vietnam during the
15th Asean Summit in October, said only a free, fair and inclusive general
elections would pave the way for Myanmar's full integration into the
international community.
Suu Kyi, who spent the last 14 of 20 years under house arrest, was Tuesday
sentenced a further 18 months of detention on a charge of violating her house
arrest after an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home in May.
Her trial and the expected conviction were widely condemned by the
international community, which considered the latest action by the military
junta as a way to keep her out of the election next year.
Thailand said Asean member countries wished to see their fellow member be at
peace, prosperous and well-respected in the international community.
The Chair reiterated the regional grouping's readiness to cooperate with the
Myanmar Government in its efforts to realise the seven steps to democracy and
remain constructively engaged with Myanmar to build the Asean Community
together.
"We also continue to support the ongoing good offices of the United Nations
secretary-general and urge Myanmar's full cooperation with the United Nations,"
said Thailand.
-- BERNAMA
BANGKOK, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand, the current Asean Chair, has
expressed disappointment that Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was
sentenced to serve 18 months' house confinement with limited freedom.
In a statement issued by the Thai Foreign Ministry, a day after the verdict,
Thailand reiterated calls made by the Asean Foreign Ministers at their
annual meeting last month, where they had called for the immediate release of
all those under detention, including Suu Kyi.
Thailand said their release was important to enable them to participate in
the 2010 General Elections.
"Such actions will contribute to national reconciliation among the people of
Myanmar, meaningful dialogue and facilitate the democratisation of Myanmar,"
said the ministry.
Thailand, which is due to hand over the chairmanship to Vietnam during the
15th Asean Summit in October, said only a free, fair and inclusive general
elections would pave the way for Myanmar's full integration into the
international community.
Suu Kyi, who spent the last 14 of 20 years under house arrest, was Tuesday
sentenced a further 18 months of detention on a charge of violating her house
arrest after an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home in May.
Her trial and the expected conviction were widely condemned by the
international community, which considered the latest action by the military
junta as a way to keep her out of the election next year.
Thailand said Asean member countries wished to see their fellow member be at
peace, prosperous and well-respected in the international community.
The Chair reiterated the regional grouping's readiness to cooperate with the
Myanmar Government in its efforts to realise the seven steps to democracy and
remain constructively engaged with Myanmar to build the Asean Community
together.
"We also continue to support the ongoing good offices of the United Nations
secretary-general and urge Myanmar's full cooperation with the United Nations,"
said Thailand.
-- BERNAMA
