The Philippines and the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would like to see the early release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  This was conveyed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople when Myanmar Special Envoy, Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win, called on him today at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win is the Special Envoy of Senior General Than Shwe, the current leader of Mynmar. Deputy Minster Maung Win is also scheduled to call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo later today.

“I told Special Envoy Maung Win that it is the strong desire of the Philippine Government to see Daw Suu Kyi and the members of her National League for Democracy released and allowed to pursue their political activities,” the Secretary said.

Secretary Ople also expressed the hope and the expectation that “sincere measures at democratic reforms and genuine efforts at national reconciliation be exerted by Myanmar, as this was the understanding when Myanmar was admitted as a member of ASEAN in 1997.”

Deputy Minister Maung Win briefed the Secretary on the recent developments in Myanmar but could not say when Daw Suu Kyi would be released, prompting the Secretary to say that “I was a little disappointed that no decision has yet been taken by Myanmar on this issue.”

Secretary Ople also told Deputy Minister Maung Win that the Philippines strongly supports the proposal of Indonesia for a group of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to visit Myanmar.  “In this way we could not only meet Daw Suu Kyi, but we could also reassure the leadership and people of Myanmar that ASEAN respects Myanmar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and express to them ASEAN’s desire for Myanmar to partake of all the advantages of membership in ASEAN.  But at this point, much of the energy and attention of ASEAN is being focused on Myanmar,” the Secretary said. END.