The New Light of Myanmar said in a news commentary that if Asean does what the US has asked, it will fall under the control of the US. It also criticized US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for urging Asean members to put pressure on the Burmese military government to enact democratic reforms.
Clinton, who attended the Asean Regional Forum last week in Thailand, called on the Burmese junta to release pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi and, as an incentive, hinted that such a move could help convince the current US administration to lift its investment sanctions on the military-ruled country.
Detained for nearly 14 of the last 20 years, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi is currently on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest and faces a possible five-year prison sentence.
The US foreign secretary also exerted pressure on Asean to expel Burma from the regional body if Suu Kyi was not released.
“In reality, her remarks amounted to interfering in the affairs of Asean,” reported The New Light of Myanmar. “If Asean does what the US secretary of state has asked, it will come under control of the US. This means the US is trying to sound the Asean out and put it into its pocket.”
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Thankin Chan Tun, a veteran Burmese politician, said, “It [the newspaper article] will not bring about anything good for the Burmese people. On the other hand, the US could put more sanctions on the country.
“In fact, Burma is a small country, so the military regime should try to be on good terms with other nations,” he added.
The commentary also suggested that US calls for Suu Kyi's release were part of a long-term plan to place someone in power in Burma whom it can control.
“It shows that the Burmese military regime will do what they like and are not concerned about the international community,” said Han Thar Myint, a spokesperson for the opposition National League for Democracy, on Monday. “Moreover, it shows that they do not intend to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.”
**********************Suu Kyi’s Trial Postponed to Tuesday ****************
According to the lawyer, Suu Kyi's two female companions, who are also on trial, gave their statements, and the lawyer for American John William Yettaw, who is charged with trespassing, was also given time to present his final argument.
Nyan Win said the trial started at 10 a.m. and continued until late in the afternoon.
The trial of the detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate is being closely monitored around the world.
During the Asean Ministerial Meeting and Asean Regional Forum (ARF) at Phuket in Thailand last week, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and several Asean foreign ministers called for the release of Suu Kyi and more than 2,100 other political prisoners.
Clinton offered the Burmese junta a carrot during the ARF meeting, hinting that if Suu Kyi is released, the US may reconsider investing in Burma, adding that the Obama administration’s policy review will be decided after the results from Suu Kyi’s trial.
However, Clinton stressed that the situation depends on the Burmese junta.
Suu Kyi could face up to five years’ imprisonment if convicted of harboring a foreigner at her Inya Lake home in May.
Her lawyers said they expected the verdict will be announced in two or three weeks.
Ahead of the verdict for Suu Kyi’s trial, Amnesty International awarded her its highest accolade, the Ambassador of Conscience Award, on Monday.
Meanwhile, sources in Rangoon have said security was tightened around the city on Monday.
No comments:
Post a Comment