Burma on top of the agenda in Asem meetings

May 26, 2009 The Nation

Thailand will further discuss the issue of Burma and the plight of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi
with European Union (EU) at the Asia-Europe meeting in Hanoi and the Asean-EU in Phnom Penh this
week.

This is despite the fact that the junta has lashed out at Asean for its stance on the matter.

Burma's political issues and Suu Kyi's trial over charges of violating house-arrest conditions will be the
top priority at the meeting of foreign ministers from Asia and Europe (Asem) in Hanoi on Monday and
Tuesday, and the Asean-EU in Phnom Penh on Wednesday and Thursday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has already discussed the issue with Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EC
commissioner for external relations, who stopped by in Thailand yesterday on her way to Hanoi.

The EU welcomed Thailand's recent statement expressing "grave concerns" over the junta's treatment
of Suu Kyi and also calling for her and other political prisoners' immediate release, Ferrero-Waldner
said.

The EU will hold a dialogue with Burma's partners, including China, on the moves forward, she said.

The commissioner is expected to meet Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win in Hanoi on sidelines of
Asem.

Though the EU extended sanctions on Burma by another year last month, the US$156 million (Bt5.4
trillion) it donated in 2008 made the group the biggest development and humanitarian aid donor.

Ferrero-Waldner said all neighbouring countries should commit and engage with the Burmese
government to change because "…they are real neighbours and they work with the country and
therefore have the best influence [than others]".

Abhisit said the EU was headed in the right direction with its moves to engage with the junta. "We
share a common view that we should engage Burma and the country should not be isolated," he said.

However the junta rejected the criticism delivered by Thailand as chair of Asean in its state-run
newspaper saying it was interfering in Burma's domestic affairs.

"This statement, issued by the alternate Asean chairman - which is not in conformity with Asean
practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar [Burma] - is strongly rejected,"
the junta mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

The statement "sadly noted" that the Thai government had "failed to preserve the dignity of Asean, the
dignity of Burma and the dignity of Thailand".

Suu Kyi was detained under Burma's Security Act for violating conditions of house arrest, it said. She is
being tried in connection with the American John Yettaw, who swam across the Inya Lake to her
residence in Rangoon.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said in Hanoi that the Asean statement was issued in accordance with
Asean practices and Burmese representatives knew about it right from the start.

"Asean has done this out of love, good intentions and hope to see national reconciliation in Burma and
for it to move forward," he said. "We are not interfering in domestic affairs, but showing our concern."
Thailand rejects Burma attack
May 26, 2009 Bangkok Post

Thailand has denied interfering in Burma's affairs with its demand as the chair of Asean for the junta to
release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Mrs Suu Kyi has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of violating her house arrest rules.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said the statement issued by Thailand on May 18 reflected the concern of
Asean members on the situation in Burma.

He said the statement was approved by top foreign ministry officials of the grouping.

"It did not interfere in Burma's internal affairs," Mr Kasit said in Hanoi, where he was attending the
Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem). "Like the situation in Thailand, many countries expressed concern over the
street protests as well as the conflict in the South because it affected stability in the region and progress
in Asean.

"Thailand did not want to see any obstacles on the move towards the reconciliation process in Burma."

He said the release of Mrs Suu Kyi and all political prisoners in Burma was an important step for
reconciliation and general elections next year.

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said some Asean countries were fretting about the situation in
Burma.

The Thai move received support from the European Union. The EU praised the Thai statement on
Burma, Czech Foreign Minister and EU senior official Jan Kohout said in Hanoi on the sidelines of the
Asem meeting.

Burma's anger was reflected in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper on Sunday, which said its
government strongly rejected the statement by Asean condemning the trial of the prodemocracy leader.

"The statement issued by the alternate Asean chair - which is not in conformity with Asean practice,
incorrect in facts, and interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar - is strongly rejected by Myanmar,"
it said.

Burma's state-run newspaper also said: "It is sadly noted that the alternate Asean chair failed to
preserve the dignity of Asean, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand."

The Burmese issue is tabled in talks among Asian and European foreign ministers being held in Hanoi.

It is expected to be raised again this week in Phnom Penh where Southeast Asian foreign ministers will
meet their European counterparts in the AseanEU dialogue.

The EU called at the Hanoi Asem for the "immediate release" of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner.

The message was conveyed to Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win on the sidelines of the meeting, Mr
Kohout said.

"I don't have a positive feeling" about the release of Mrs Suu Kyi, he said.

The issue was discussed between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the
external relations commissioner of the European Commission, at Government House yesterday.

Mrs Suu Kyi, who was taken from her house to Insein Prison, faces up to five years in jail if convicted of
breaching the terms of her house arrest after an eccentric American, John Yettaw, swam to her lakeside
house.

Her six-year house arrest is due to end tomorrow.

The pro-democracy leader will testify today, as the prosecution's withdrawal of its nine remaining
witnesses suggested the military government wanted to quickly wrap up the proceedings.

One of Mrs Suu Kyi's lawyers, yesterday said her defence team was unhappy that it was not given
sufficient time to consult with their client about her planned testimony.
The Issuance of the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
May 26, 2009 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. The ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was issued with the best of intentions
towards Myanmar and reflects the desire for the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar to move
forward on the basis of inclusiveness, with the participation of all sectors of society. Thailand, in its
capacity as the current ASEAN Chairman, shall continue to pursue constructive dialogue with the
Government of the Union of Myanmar.

2. According to ASEAN’s practice, a Joint ASEAN Statement is a negotiated text, which is prepared by
ASEAN officials and approved by the ASEAN Foreign Ministries or the ASEAN Heads of
State/Government. An ASEAN Chairman’s Statement, however, is issued by the Government which is
the current Chair of ASEAN, without the need for joint drafting by the ASEAN officials.

3. In this case, the ASEAN Senior Officials had discussed this issue and expressed views on the recent
developments on 18th May 2009 and agreed that Thailand, as the current ASEAN Chair, should issue
the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on recent developments about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reflecting the
views expressed in the SOM Meeting and to inform other ASEAN Foreign Ministries accordingly. Similar
action had previously been taken before.