PRESS RELEASE
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                *             Tel. No. 834-4000               *              www.dfa.gov.ph
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No. 281-03;  06 June 2003
PHILIPPINES HOPES THAT AUNG SAN SUU KYI IS SAFE AND UNINJURED;
LOOKS FORWARD TO REPORT OF UN ENVOY

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today told Myanmar Ambassador to the Philippines, Ambassador U Tin Htun, that the Philippines hopes that Aung San Suu Kyi is safe, healthy and uninjured, after reports reached the Department that Suu Kyi and a number of her National League for Democracy (NLD) colleagues were injured and detained last week following clashes between pro and anti-government supporters. The Myanmar Ambassador told the Secretary that the NLD members are all physically well and are being kept in protective custody for their own safety.

“We have the assurances of the government of Myanmar that Madam Suu Kyi is safe.  We have no reason to doubt what they have said.  We are confident that Myanmar will continue to ensure the safety of Madam Suu Kyi and will also continue to keep those interested updated and informed,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also told the Myanmar Ambassador that the Philippines hopes that U.N. envoy Razali Ismail, who is due to arrive in Myanmar today, will have the opportunity to meet Madam Suu Kyi.

“It is our hope that UN Envoy Razali Ismail will be able to meet with Madam Suu Kyi as well as officials of Myanmar.  I understand that Ambassador Razali will carry with him a message from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urging both sides to ‘redouble their efforts to start substantive political dialogue’.  This is a message that we support and which we hope will bear fruit,” according to Secretary Ople. “We look forward to the report of Ambassador Razali,” he added.

Secretary Ople will have the opportunity to meet with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar and other ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ and Related Meetings in Phnom Penh on 12-19 June 2003.  He said that he may take the opportunity to informally inquire from the Myanmar Foreign Minister on the latest developments relating to Madam Suu Kyi. END.