On 17 August 2009, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kasit Piromya, briefed the media and answered their questions on Myanmar after his meeting with Mr. Jim Webb, US Senator and Chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate foreign Relations Committee. Gist as follows:
- The Foreign Minister was updated on Senator Webb’s trip to Myanmar on 14-16 August 2009, which Senator Webb had an opportunity to meet with the Myanmese Government and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Both sides also discussed possible cooperation between Thailand and the US in resolving the situation in Myanmar.
- The Foreign Minister reiterated the position of Thailand and the ASEAN, a position that ASEAN has maintained for many years and is reflected in the Statement issued on 13 August 2009. Thailand and ASEAN wish to see free, fair and inclusive General Elections in 2010 as stated in the 7-step Road Map. The release of all political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will greatly contribute to national reconciliation and pave the way for Myanmar’s democracy and full integration into the international community.
- Foreign Minister Kasit also noted with optimism that the decision to lower the sentence of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as the release of Mr. Yettaw reflects that the Government of Myanmar “listens” to the outside world.
- On 19-20 August 2009, the ASEAN Senior Officials will convene in Jakarta, Indonesia. They will use this opportunity to finalize a letter to the Government of Myanmar which was drafted in consultation with several ASEAN country members both in person and over the phone during the Foreign Minister Kasit’s visit to Indonesia over the weekend. The letter will reflect the united consensus of ASEAN country members and will be done in accordance with the ASEAN’s standard of practice.
- The Foreign Minister also added that he will explore possibility of visiting Myanmar to discuss the country’s democratic process in the near future.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th
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