Thai senators call for Suu Kyi’s release
by Usa Pichai
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Thirty senators of Thailand on Thursday submitted a petition to the Burmese military junta urging that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi be released and the creation of a favourable ambience for political stability in the country.
Rosana Tositrakul, a Thai senator said she along with 29 other senators signed a petition urging justice for the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was submitted to the Burmese Prime Minister through the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok.
“We want to express our concern from our standpoint of the good relations between Thailand and Burma,” Rosana said.
“We would like to urge you [Burmese PM] to consider releasing Aung San Suu Kyi soon to create human rights, which is reliable and usher in a democratic atmosphere in Burmese society. The decision would help create real political legitimacy and stability for your government,” Rosana said quoting from the letter.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Parliament has urged the Thai cabinet to take a clear stand and act on the trial of the Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Torpong Chaiyasarn, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Thailand’s Parliament in a press conference on Wednesday said the committee has discussed the Burmese junta’s trial of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The committee felt that the trial lacks transparency and also threatens human rights in Burma saying, “The Thai government should come up with a clear response on the issue but they should take into consideration bilateral relationship between the countries.”
On Wednesday, the Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will bring up the issue of the trial against the Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in their discussion during the group’s meeting in South Korea next week.
The Burmese regime may continue detaining Aung San Suu Kyi, Abhisit, the current chairman of the 10-member ASEAN, said. The association's leaders will have an opportunity to discuss the issue during the ASEAN-South Korea Commemorative Summit to be held on Jeju Island on June 1 and 2.
The Burmese junta has accused its neighbour Thailand of meddling in its internal affairs following the May 18 statement, which said ASEAN members are concerned over the situation in Burma.
On Tuesday, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) called on ASEAN to suspend Burma’s membership if its military regime continued to detain Aung San Suu Kyi. It also asked the grouping to consider imposing sanctions against the Burmese junta.
But Abhisit said it would be “inappropriate” and the best way is to restore relations as was indicated in the statement issued earlier.
Aung San Suu Kyi, whose six-year house arrest term in Rangoon ended on Wednesday, is facing a trial on charges of flouting her detention law after an American, John William Yettaw (53) swam to her lakeside home earlier this month. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison.
