ASEAN to make move on Aung San Suu Kyi’s verdict

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told visiting US Senator Jim Webb  that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would make a move regarding the verdict against Myanmar’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as senior ASEAN officials were scheduled to discuss the issue this week, according to Dr Panithan Wattanayagorn, Deputy Secretary to the prime minister.

Mr Abhisit, now ASEAN chair, met Mr Webb, US Senator from Virginia and Chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee at Government House on Monday.

Dr Panithan, as acting government spokesman, said Sen Webb briefed the prime minister about his August 14-16 trip to Myanmar, during which he met with senior Myanmar government officials including junta chief Senior Gen Than Shwe as well as pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi.

Mrs Suu Kyi, 64, was found guilty last week of breaching the terms of her house arrest after an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her lakeside villa in May and stayed there for two days.

Her sentence of three years’ imprisonment with hard labour was reduced to 18 months of house arrest following an order by the Myanmar leader.

Mr Webb told Mr Abhisit that the situation in Myanmar was becoming positive, particularly the plan to hold a general election next year, a milestone of democracy in Myanmar.

Mr Abhisit affirmed ASEAN’s Non-Interference Policy and Principles and said he believed that sanctions were not the solution for resolving Myanmar problems.

He said on August 19-20, ASEAN Senior Officials will convene in Jakarta, Indonesia and are expected to use the opportunity to finalise a letter to the Myanmar government drafted in consultation with several ASEAN governments.

The letter will reflect the united consensus of ASEAN country members and will be done in accordance with the pact’s standard of practice, he said.

Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya said last week that Thailand was seeking consensus among ASEAN member countries to seek pardon for Mrs Suu Kyi.

On Monday, Mr Webb also met Mr Kasit at the foreign ministry to discuss possible cooperation between Thailand and the US in resolving the situation in Myanmar.

He reasserted that Thailand and ASEAN wish to see free, fair and inclusive general elections in Myanmar in 2010 as stated in the seven-step road map.

The release of all political detainees including Mrs Suu Kyi, will greatly contribute to national reconciliation and pave the way for Myanmar’s democracy and full integration into the international community, he said.

Mr Kasit also noted with optimism that the decision to reduce Mrs Suu Kyi’s sentence as well as the release of Mr Yettaw reflects that the Government of Myanmar “listens” to the outside world.

He also added that he will explore possibility of visiting Myanmar to discuss the country’s democratic process in the near future. (TNA)