ASEAN TO SEEK PARDON FOR SUU KYI

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Asean is planning to ask Myanmar's military
junta to grant a pardon for opposition icon Aung San Suu Kyi who was sentenced
to serve 18 months' house confinement with limited freedom.

Thailand, which is the current Asean Chair, has asked the consent of eight
other Asean members to make the unprecedented move.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told the Thai media that letters to seek
their consent have been sent to the respective countries.

"Once we receive approval from all the members, we will proceed with the
request to ask the Myanmar Government to grant the pardon," he said.

Asean had made little progress in recent months in persuading Myanmar to
release Suu Kyi who had remained under house arrest for the last 14 of 20
years.

The issue grabbed international spotlight again when she 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.

Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan told the media on the sideline of the
41st Asean Economic Ministers Meeting that he was unaware of the Thai move.

"I am not aware of the initiative made by the Chair. I was not informed of
such a move...they will (usually) send a copy to the secretary-general," he
said.

Asked if the United States and European Union's move to strengthen existing
sanctions on Myanmar, following the verdict on Suu Kyi, would affect the
progress towards the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015, Surin said it was
something that was not necessary for the region.

"The concern and frustration of the international community brought to Asean
are not necessary...we can live without that," he said.

Surin said it was up to the Asean leaders to consider how to deflect and
manage such pressure.
-- BERNAMA