Itar-Tass - Moscow opposes political pressure on Myanmar, expects unbiased trial of Suu Kyi

Itar-Tass - Moscow opposes political pressure on Myanmar, expects unbiased trial of Suu Kyi
21.06.2009, 18.41

MOSCOW, June 21 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry objects to political and economic pressure on Myanmar and hopes for an unbiased trial of opposition leader Suu Kyi, the ministry’s information and press department said on Sunday.

Russia is watching “the efforts of the Myanmar government to achieve peace and national concord,” the department said. “We believe that Myanmar will ensure the fulfillment of the reform program, primarily the holding of parliamentary elections in due time [in 2010].”

Moscow “opposes attempts to internationalize the internal situation in Myanmar, because it does not endanger peace and security in the region and the world at large. In our opinion, the political and economic pressure on that country is counterproductive, as it enhances isolationist feelings of the Myanmar military and exacerbates the socioeconomic position of citizens,” the department said.

“We see no reasons why the UN Security Council should discuss Myanmar. At the same time, we call on Myanmar for greater openness and cooperation with the international community, as well as for closer relations with the mission of Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Ibrahim Gambari. We are confident that this negotiating mechanism is useful in building up mutual understanding and confidence between Myanmar and the world,” the department said.

Russia hopes that the trial of “Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be unbiased, strictly comply with national laws and humanitarian standards, and take into account the international opinion,” the department said.

The Nobel Prize winner’s trial began this May at Yangon’s Insein prison, where she had been transferred from home arrest. If found guilty, she may be sentenced to five years of custody for breaching home arrest restrictions and meeting with a U.S. citizen without authorization.

Several days ago ASEAN urged Myanmar to stop the prosecution of the opposition leader and to release her from custody. The European Union sided with the demand and called for further political activity of Suu Kyi and larger international pressure on the Myanmar authorities aimed to promote massive democratic transformations. U.S. President Barack Obama also demanded the immediate release of the Myanmar opposition leader.

The National League for Democracy led by Suu Kyi won the majority of seats in the national parliament in 1990, but the military invalidated election results and started persecution of Suu Kyi and her supporters. For all these years Suu Kyi has almost permanently stayed under home arrest.