ID :
74887
Wed, 08/12/2009 - 13:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/74887
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ASEAN 'deep disappointment' over Suu Kyi verdict
BANGKOK, Aug 12 (TNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday said the regional grouping felt 'deep disappointment' that Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another 18 months of house detention and repeated its call for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.
A court in military-ruled Myanmar handed down a three-year prison term for violation of an internal security law on Tuesday, but that was immediately halved on the orders of the military government, which said the 64-year-old Nobel peace laureate could serve the time in her Yangon home.
"Thailand, as the ASEAN Chair, has learned with deep disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to serve eighteen months of house confinement with limited freedom," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a statement issued in Bangkok on Wednesday.
"The Chair wishes to reiterate the calls made by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers attending the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum held in July 2009 in Phuket, for the immediate release of all those under detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 General Elections," the statement said.
"Such actions will contribute to national reconciliation among the people of Myanmar, meaningful dialogue and facilitate the democratization of Myanmar," said the statement of the regional bloc, of which Myanmar is also a member.
Only free, fair and inclusive General Elections will then pave the way for Myanmar’s full integration into the international community," it said.
ASEAN, which comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, also said in its statement that ASEAN member "stand ready to cooperate with the Myanmar government in its efforts to realize the seven steps to democracy and remain constructively engaged with Myanmar in order to build the ASEAN Community together." (TNA)
A court in military-ruled Myanmar handed down a three-year prison term for violation of an internal security law on Tuesday, but that was immediately halved on the orders of the military government, which said the 64-year-old Nobel peace laureate could serve the time in her Yangon home.
"Thailand, as the ASEAN Chair, has learned with deep disappointment that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to serve eighteen months of house confinement with limited freedom," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a statement issued in Bangkok on Wednesday.
"The Chair wishes to reiterate the calls made by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers attending the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum held in July 2009 in Phuket, for the immediate release of all those under detention, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 General Elections," the statement said.
"Such actions will contribute to national reconciliation among the people of Myanmar, meaningful dialogue and facilitate the democratization of Myanmar," said the statement of the regional bloc, of which Myanmar is also a member.
Only free, fair and inclusive General Elections will then pave the way for Myanmar’s full integration into the international community," it said.
ASEAN, which comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, also said in its statement that ASEAN member "stand ready to cooperate with the Myanmar government in its efforts to realize the seven steps to democracy and remain constructively engaged with Myanmar in order to build the ASEAN Community together." (TNA)
