ID :
147599
Tue, 10/26/2010 - 20:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/147599
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UN chief calls for fair election in Myanmar
BANGKOK, Oct 26 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday called for a free and fair general election in Myanmar, urging the military junta to free detained political prisoners and allow their participation in the country's first ever election in 20 years.
The UN chief made his comments at a joint news conference here with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva after a bilateral talk at Government House.
Mr Ban said Mr Abhisit has reported to him the result of his official visit to Myanmar October 11, as well as, the role of Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in pushing a fair and transparent election in the Myanmar poll scheduled for November 7.
"Now that they are going to have the first ever election in 20 years my only hope -- sincere hope -- is this election will be an inclusive and transparent and credible one. That is the expectation of the international community," the UN chief said.
"It is not too late, even now... by releasing political detainees they can make this election more inclusive and participatory," said Mr Ban.
Pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the last election in 1990, remains under house arrest and is due to be released on 13 November. She was sentenced to an additional 18 months of house arrest last year following the arrest of an American man who swam across a lake to her home.
Myanmar's Supreme Court has agreed to hear Suu Kyi's latest appeal against her detention, but said it could not make a decision right away.
Mr Ban also expressed hope that he will meet Myanmar leader during the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi.
Myanmar is a member of ASEAN, the regional bloc which groups ten countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, in a trade and cooperation pact.
The UN secretary-general's working visit is part of a four nation-tour in Asia, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam and China. He is scheduled to leave Bangkok for Phnom Penh Tuesday evening and attend the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi on Friday. (MCOT online news)
The UN chief made his comments at a joint news conference here with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva after a bilateral talk at Government House.
Mr Ban said Mr Abhisit has reported to him the result of his official visit to Myanmar October 11, as well as, the role of Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in pushing a fair and transparent election in the Myanmar poll scheduled for November 7.
"Now that they are going to have the first ever election in 20 years my only hope -- sincere hope -- is this election will be an inclusive and transparent and credible one. That is the expectation of the international community," the UN chief said.
"It is not too late, even now... by releasing political detainees they can make this election more inclusive and participatory," said Mr Ban.
Pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the last election in 1990, remains under house arrest and is due to be released on 13 November. She was sentenced to an additional 18 months of house arrest last year following the arrest of an American man who swam across a lake to her home.
Myanmar's Supreme Court has agreed to hear Suu Kyi's latest appeal against her detention, but said it could not make a decision right away.
Mr Ban also expressed hope that he will meet Myanmar leader during the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Hanoi.
Myanmar is a member of ASEAN, the regional bloc which groups ten countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, in a trade and cooperation pact.
The UN secretary-general's working visit is part of a four nation-tour in Asia, visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam and China. He is scheduled to leave Bangkok for Phnom Penh Tuesday evening and attend the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi on Friday. (MCOT online news)
