Myanmar leader ignores Noy's plea to free Suu Kyi

HANOI, Vietnam – Myanmar Prime Minister Thien Sein declined Thursday afternoon the request of President Aquino and other leaders of the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in time for the Nov. 7 elections in that country.

Mr. Aquino met with the Myanmar leader upon the latter’s request for bilateral talks at the National Convention Center where the 17th ASEAN Summit will be held until today.

Presidential Communications Group Secretary Ricky Carandang said Sein told Mr. Aquino election procedures are already in place following the creation of an election commission.

“The Myanmar leader said the legal processes will take their course,” he said.

“It is disappointing not just for the Philippines but to the international community as well. We have expressed our willingness to share our history and the successful transition that happened.

“The lack of commitment on that (Aung San Suu Kyi) was disappointing to the President.” Sein thanked Mr. Aquino for his concern, “but at the same time, he told him (Mr. Aquino) that they also have a roadmap to democracy.”

Carandang said reports in the international media, particularly the Asian regional papers indicated a possible release of Suu Kyi after the elections.

“Whether she is released at all is more of the question now, before or after the elections,” he said.

“We just have to monitor the conduct of the elections there.”

Mr. Aquino and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Minh Triet have earlier joined mounting calls for Myanmar to release Suu Kyi in time for the country’s Nov. 7 national elections.

“We have been championing the cause of Madam Aung San Suu Kyi for a very, very long time,” Mr. Aquino said.

“The basic premise is stability should be one of the (aims of) member states of the ASEAN. It leads to stability within ASEAN.   – With Rhodina Villanueva