ID :
75364
Fri, 08/14/2009 - 20:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/75364
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Thailand seeking ASEAN consensus to seek Suu Kyi pardon
BANGKOK, Aug 14 (TNA) - Thailand, as current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is asking for consensus among members countries to seek pardon for Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after a court sentenced her to an additional 18 months of house detention, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya.
The letter has been circulated to all ASEAN member countries to ask for their support for the move, he said, adding that a copy of the letter was also sent to the Myanmar government.
A Myanmar court on Tuesday sentenced the 64-year-old Nobel laureate for being guilty of violating the terms of her earlier detention by sheltering an uninvited American visitor at her home. The American, John Yettaw, was also sentenced to seven years in prison. Lawyers plan to appeal both sentences.
Her sentence of three years' imprisonment with hard labour was reduced to 18 months of house arrest following an order by the Myanmar's leader.
Mr Kasit said that after Thailand issued statement on behalf of ASEAN, the members had considered Thailand had done it most over the issue and there would be no special ASEAN ministers meeting to discuss the issue. Two or three members are not ready to attend such special meeting.
The minister said he believed the Myanmar government had realised the demand of the international community -- to release all political prisoners, hold general elections and foster national reconciliation.
Thailand, as ASEAN chair, on Wednesday issued the regional bloc's statement saying the regional organization felt “deep disappointment” that Nobel laureate and democracy campaigner Suu Kyi was sentenced to the added 18 months of house detention.
The statement also said the chair wishes to reiterate the calls made by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum held in July in Phuket, calling for the immediate release of all those under detention, including Mrs Suu Kyi, with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday called on Myanmar to release her and all other political prisoners. The Security Council also expressed "serious concern'' for the sentence sending Mrs Suu Kyi back to house arrest. (TNA)
The letter has been circulated to all ASEAN member countries to ask for their support for the move, he said, adding that a copy of the letter was also sent to the Myanmar government.
A Myanmar court on Tuesday sentenced the 64-year-old Nobel laureate for being guilty of violating the terms of her earlier detention by sheltering an uninvited American visitor at her home. The American, John Yettaw, was also sentenced to seven years in prison. Lawyers plan to appeal both sentences.
Her sentence of three years' imprisonment with hard labour was reduced to 18 months of house arrest following an order by the Myanmar's leader.
Mr Kasit said that after Thailand issued statement on behalf of ASEAN, the members had considered Thailand had done it most over the issue and there would be no special ASEAN ministers meeting to discuss the issue. Two or three members are not ready to attend such special meeting.
The minister said he believed the Myanmar government had realised the demand of the international community -- to release all political prisoners, hold general elections and foster national reconciliation.
Thailand, as ASEAN chair, on Wednesday issued the regional bloc's statement saying the regional organization felt “deep disappointment” that Nobel laureate and democracy campaigner Suu Kyi was sentenced to the added 18 months of house detention.
The statement also said the chair wishes to reiterate the calls made by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum held in July in Phuket, calling for the immediate release of all those under detention, including Mrs Suu Kyi, with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday called on Myanmar to release her and all other political prisoners. The Security Council also expressed "serious concern'' for the sentence sending Mrs Suu Kyi back to house arrest. (TNA)
