Pardon sought for Myanmar's Suu Kyi+

BANGKOK, Aug. 14 Kyodo -
Thailand, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, sought a
consensus Friday from the other nine ASEAN members as to whether the group
should seek a pardon for Myanmar's democratic icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya told reporters by telephone from Kuala
Lumpur that he had sent out a letter to all the other nine ASEAN members to
seek the consensus.
ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan refused to comment on the pardon
movement, saying he had not been formally informed of it.
But Surin did say the possibility of imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar
''did not help ASEAN and the people of Myanmar.''
He said sanctions only reflect ''concern and frustration'' of the international
community.
Thailand and some other ASEAN countries have been calling for Suu Kyi's release
as well as that of other political prisoners so they can participate in a
general election planned for next year, but so far there has been no response
from the junta.
On Wednesday, Thailand issued a statement as the ASEAN chair expressing ''deep
disappointment'' over the junta's renewed house detention of Suu Kyi, who has
spent most of the last 14 years under house arrest.
A court on Tuesday sentenced her to three years in prison for breaching the
terms of her house arrest after an uninvited American swam to her lakeside
house in Yangon in May and stayed there for two days.
Junta leader Sr. Gen. Than Shwe intervened even before the court decision was
announced, telling the country's home minister to halve whatever sentence was
handed down and then suspend it, leaving Suu Kyi sentenced to 18 more months of
house arrest.
The conviction drew stinging condemnation from the international community and
mixed reactions from ASEAN members ranging from condemnation by the Philippines
to milder disappointment by Singapore.
Observers suggested the conviction was used as a way to prevent her from
participating in next year's general election.
The Philippines denounced the court ruling as ''incomprehensible and
deplorable'' and renewed its call for Suu Kyi's ''immediate and unconditional
release.''
Malaysia expressed ''deep disappointment'' and said it would consult with other
ASEAN members on the development.
While Singapore also expressed disappointment and hope that Suu Kyi will be
allowed to participate in the political process as soon as possible, it
commended Myanmar's generals for reducing her sentence and keeping her out of
jail.
Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said it is ''strongly disappointed'' with the
court verdict.
Vietnam did not comment directly on the ruling but urged Yangon to ''adopt
measures to promote national reconciliation and dialogue between concerned
parties in Myanmar.''
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
==Kyodo