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Wednesday June 10, 2009 TODAY

Suu Kyi a domestic issue with a global dimension

Imelda saad imelda@mediacorp.com.sg
THE trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi should not be allowed to affect Myanmars national reconciliation process or disrupt its elections due next year, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He made the comments in meetings with Myanmars top leadership in the administrative capital of Naypyidaw yesterday. They included Senior General Than Shwe and Prime Minister Thein Sein. Mr Gohs press secretary, Mr Ho Tong Yen, said the leaders exchanged frank views on developments in Myanmar. Speaking about Ms Suu Kyi, who is currently on trial for breaching the terms of her house arrest, Mr Goh noted that the trial is a domestic affair. However, he also stressed that there is an international dimension to the matter which Myanmar should not ignore. Recently, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), had issued a strongly-worded statement, saying that Ms Suu Kyis trial puts Myanmars honour and credibility at stake. The meetings also touched on Myanmars general elections scheduled for next year. Mr Goh stressed the elections must be inclusive and the National League for Democracy the political party led by Ms Suu Kyi must be part of the process of national reconciliation.

sm Goh In myanmar

sm Goh Chok Tong (right) met with myanmars senior General Than shwe in the administrative capital of naypyidaw yesterday. Channel neWsasIa

M ya n m a r, t h o u g h , n ote d that the opposition needs to recognise that the military plays a pivotal role in this reconciliation process. Its leader also pointed out that the government faces the challenge

of persuading all 17 ethnic groups that have signed a ceasefire agreement to lay down arms and take part in the elections. Mr Gohs four-day official visit to Myanmar is his first trip to the country in 11 years.

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Friday June 12, 2009 TODAY

While Suu Kyi trial is domestic affair, Myanmar cannot ignore international interest, Mr Goh says
iMelda Saad in yanGon imelda@mediacorp.com.sg

No strong economic growth without political reform

SM Goh in MyanMar

SINGAPORES Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has urged Myanmar to continue with its process of national reconciliation and democracy, saying that without political reform, it will not be able to achieve fast economic growth like the other Asean countries. Wrapping up his four-day visit to the country yesterday, Mr Goh said that in its efforts towards national reconciliation, Myanmar cannot ignore the international interest surrounding the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms Suu Kyi is currently being tried for breaching the rules governing her house arrest. Mr Goh said he had constructive discussions with Myanmars top leaders, including Senior General Than Shwe, and these provided him insight into just how complex Myanmars political situation is. I could see that Senior General Than Shwe is in a very difficult position. He has inherited this military regime. Myanmar has come to a cul de sac, how does it make a U-turn? I think thats not easy, he said. Mr Goh said Myanmars stability is dependent on bringing together three parties the military government, the ethnic groups and the opposition. He noted that Senior General Than Shwe would like to bring the country towards democracy, using a cautious but practical approach. The key test would be in Myanmars general election next year.

i think the government is aware that there is international perspective on aung San Suu Kyis trial. But its a domestic affair. What the verdict and sentence will be, we will not want to pre-judge or influence them in any way.
Mr Goh, who wrapped up a four-day visit to Myanmar yesterday.

Mr Goh said the process must be legitimate: That means fair and transparent elections. He said all parties that want to contest the elections should be allowed to do so, including Ms Suu Kyi for her party, the National League for Democracy. Because if shes not campaigning for the party and whoever wins, well, one could argue that its not quite legitimate because the main opposition party was not campaigning with its leader, he said. The Senior Minister also conveyed to Myanmar Singapores view on the arrest

of Ms Suu Kyi. He said Singapore was dismayed by the arrest and concerned as to what the verdict will be like and what the sentence will be like. While the matter is a domestic affair, Myanmar cannot ignore international interest in Ms Suu Kyis trial and verdict because it would affect its international relations, Mr Goh said. He pointed out that United States President Barack Obamas administration is reviewing its foreign policy and Myanmars actions will determine its relations with America. I think the government is aware that there is international perspective on Aung San Suu Kyis trial. But its a domestic affair. What the verdict and sentence will be, we will not want to pre-judge or influence them in any way, he said. Mr Goh added that how Myanmar is going to be governed will determine whether the country can attract investments. Myanmars Prime Minister Thein Sein had said he would like to see investments from Singapore but Mr Goh pointed out that is not possible until Myanmars elections and results are known. I dont believe any Singapore investors would come in a big way before the picture is clear, before this move to democracy is seen to produce results, said Mr Goh. We do not pressure them on what to do and I did not come here to give advice. But what I told him is that we understand global trends, so what could do as an old friend of Myanmar is to give inputs, he added. Singapore is also concerned about developments in Myanmar because it is part of Asean, Mr Goh said. If Myanmar prospers, it will be good for the region, and it will be better to have a prosperous Asean than one with all kinds of problems, he said. Channel neWSaSia