Asean ministers look at shaping a response
Writer: THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL and AGENCIES
Published: 12/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
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The sentencing of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to another 18 months of house arrest has dampened the hopes of Asean and other countries for a credible general election in Burma next year.

Mrs Suu Kyi was handed the extended house arrest yesterday after a prison court convicted the Nobel laureate at the end of her internationally condemned trial.

The court at Rangoon's notorious Insein Prison sentenced her to three years' imprisonment with hard labour for breaching the terms of her house arrest following an incident in which John Yettaw, a US citizen, swam to her lakeside home in May.

"Aung San Suu Kyi ... was found guilty of the charges and I hereby pass the sentence of three years' imprisonment," said the judge, drawing gasps from the courtroom.

* See also: World condemns Burma, calls for Suu Kyi's freedom

But the chairman of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, Than Shwe, signed an order commuting the sentence and allowing Mrs Suu Kyi to serve just 18 months under house arrest, Home Affairs Minister Maung Oo said after the verdict.

The sentence means the 64-year-old will remain in detention during elections promised next year by Burma's iron-fisted ruling junta.

Asean and the international community have called for free and fair elections in Burma by allowing all parties to take part.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said the verdict had raised questions about the election which the Burmese regime needed to address.

"The Burmese government should think about the demands of the international community and the United Nations about its general elections next year," Mr Kasit said.

"It should not just stop because of the verdict, which has a lot of political implications. It should be homework for the Burmese leaders to think about."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declined to comment on the court decision other than to say he would wait to see the full verdict of the trial and for the junta's view of the case as the government had to be careful about the issue.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said he doubted the verdict would end the desire for free and fair elections in Burma.

"With this sentence there is no possibility for Aung San Suu Kyi to participate in the general election next year, which should be free, fair and inclusive," Mr Anifah said.

The Philippines said extending Mrs Suu Kyi's house arrest was meant to keep the democracy leader and her National League for Democracy party out of the elections.

"Obviously, that is their intention," Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said. "They don't want her to be out before the election."

Mrs Suu Kyi's NLD won the last election, in 1990, by a landslide but was prevented from taking power.

The order for the NLD leader to be returned to confinement in her home drew swift condemnation from around the world. But Asean, which admitted Burma as a member in 1997, has not arrived at a common position.

Mr Kasit said he would consult with other Asean foreign ministers. Thailand is the group chairman until December.

Mr Anifah called for an urgent meeting.

"I think there is a need for Asean foreign ministers to have an urgent meeting to discuss this issue, which is of grave concern."

Mr Anifah has expressed disappointment with the Burmese junta's decision to convict Mrs Suu Kyi.

"We were hoping that the junta would release her unconditionally and will hold an election to enable Suu Kyi and other political detainees to participate in that election," he said.

Indonesia was "very disappointed" at the verdict, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said.

Singapore said it was disappointed at the court's verdict, but said the decision to commute the prison sentence to house arrest was a positive sign.