RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI FROM HOUSE ARREST

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RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI FROM HOUSE ARREST:

* 8. *Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what has Singapore done, other than quiet diplomacy, to effect the early release of

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the Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are no realistic options other than diplomacy, quiet or otherwise. The reality is that, like it or not, the understanding and cooperation of the Myanmar authorities is essential for change in Myanmar. Public condemnation is likely to be counter-productive and, given the limited integration of Myanmar into the world economy, the effect of sanctions will be only limited. They will only push Myanmar into further isolation.

Singapore has made it clear that we do not believe that the current situation in Myanmar serves Myanmar's interests or the interests of the region as a whole. We have, when we judged it appropriate, made our views known publicly. For example, on 1st October 2003, we told the press clearly that all restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be lifted so as to allow the national reconciliation process to proceed. We are also party to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement of June 2003. We have also spoken to the Myanmar authorities in private on many occasions. Most recently, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong met Prime Minister Khin Nyunt on 6th October 2003. While it would not be useful to reveal the details of such private exchanges, let me say that we have made known our concerns.

The Myanmar authorities understand that Singapore has no ulterior motives and that we act in good faith. But, in the final analysis, they have to make their own decisions based on their own assessments of what is in their country's interests. The situation in Myanmar is very complicated. Other countries may have their own views and their own way of approaching the issue. They may also have their own

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motives. Singapore must be guided by our own national interests. Singapore will continue to do whatever we can in our own way.

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