Statement by Deputy Prime Minister concerning the verdict passed over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

The Burmese junta repeatedly has not listened to the appeals of the United Nations, the European Union and the member countries of ASEAN to withdraw the stage-managed court trial with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This leading representative of the Burmese opposition has been and must be a key person of a process, which should lead to the establishment of democracy in the country.

Today’s decision of the Burmese court only confirms a policy that we cannot share. I consider as empty any attempts to defend the verdict or try to interpret it in a positive way.

In this connection, I again urge immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, abolition of all restrictions imposed on political parties and initiation of an all-round dialogue between the government and the democratic forces, including ethnic groups.