Japanese FM exhorts Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi

by Mungpi
Thursday, 27 August 2009 14:36

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone reiterated Japan’s expectation from Burma’s ruling junta to release detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi expeditiously.

Nakasone, during a brief meeting with visiting Burmese Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo, on Tuesday said Tokyo strongly expects that the Burmese regime will swiftly release Aung San Suu Kyi and allow her to participate in the process of democratization in Burma.

Nakasone said, for the general elections slated for 2010 to be acceptable by the international community, “Japan strongly expects that Myanmar [Burma] proceed with the democratization process with the participation of all the parties concerned.”

Japan is also taking note that the Burmese government referred to the possible early release of Aung San Suu Kyi and urged the Burmese junta to quickly implement it, as releasing her and allowing her to participate in the democratization process would be of great benefit to Burma, Nakasone said.

Responding to Nakasone, Htay Oo said, his government is considering the early release of Aung San Suu Kyi, “if she leads an honest life” during her 18-month detention.

Htay Oo, who is also secretary of the junta-backed civilian organisation, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), said Aung San Suu Kyi has been dealt with in accordance with the law but as a gesture of respect to her late father, General Aung San, Snr. Gen Than Shwe had commuted her sentence to 18 months and allowed her to serve it at her home.

On August 11, Aung San Suu Kyi and her two live-in party house mates, were sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour by the Insein prison special court on charges of violating her previous detention terms by allowing an American, John Yettaw, to visit her at her lakeside home.

But Than Shwe, Burma’s supreme military leader, issued an executive order commuting the sentence to half of that pronounced by the court. He allowed her and her two friends to serve time in her home with restrictions.

The sponsored trip of Htay Oo and the delegation he led, including Tin Htut Oo, Director General of the Agricultural Department and other officials of the Military Affairs Security (MAS), according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, is meant to explore possible cooperation with Japan on agriculture and irrigation sectors.

Yuki Akimoto, a Japanese researcher on Burma, said the trip could be a sign indicating the increasingly cosy relationship between Japan and the Burmese Generals.

But Dr. Min Nyo, in-charge of an exiled group, Burma Office, in Tokyo, said Japan, despite its continued engagement with the Burmese ruling junta, has lately become vocal particularly over the trial and sentencing of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Dr Min Nyo said he expects Japan’s new government to take a stronger stance on Burma’s military rulers.

According to Akimoto, Japan wants Burma to conduct the elections in a way that the international community could endorse, as it wants to step up its engagement with Burma. And in accordance, has provided training to at least five Burmese officials on electoral mores.