Junta denies framing case against Suu Kyi

by Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma's Foreign Minister, Nyan Win, has denied allegations that the regime has framed its case against Aung San Suu Kyi, arguing instead that it was the synchronized foul play of the opposition forces that has resulted in the current trial.

"We are trying to restore constructive engagement with the outside world, including the U.S., Japan and E.U. At this crucial time, some opposition forces at home and abroad might try to sabotage and derail this work of constructive engagement with the international community with an intention of bringing back international pressure on Myanmar [Burma]. This [the situation surrounding the trial] may be the synchronized foul play of these elements," the state-run New Light of Myanmar reported today in citing the Foreign Minister.

It was the junta's first public announcement denying allegations of framing the case against Aung San Suu Kyi with the intention of prolonging her detention and barring her from contesting the upcoming 2010 election.

Additionally, according to the paper, Nyan Win and his Japanese counterpart, Foreign Minister Hiro Fumi Nakasone, talked over the phone on May 18th, the first day of Aung San Suu Kyi's court hearing.

The paper reported that the Japanese Foreign Minister expressed his worries over Aung San Suu Kyi's trial, saying he was concerned over the successful holding of the 2010 general election and the negative effect on the junta's image that this case may have in the international community.

"Though it is the judicial process of Burma, we urge you to take into consideration the opinions of the international community and to take action in a more appropriate way," Nakasone reportedly told Nyan Win according to the state-run daily. "Moreover, it is a crucial time for the transition to democracy in Burma, so that this democratization process should be made respectable to the international community too".

Aung San Suu Kyi’s present term of house arrest is set to expire on May 27th, after six consecutive years of detention, and cannot again be extended according to existing Burmese law.

The New Light of Myanmar added that Nyan Win gave his assurances that the trial would be conducted within the framework of the law.