PM Lee expresses deep concerns over Myanmar
Posted: 01 October 2007 0104 hrs

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SINGAPORE : Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed deep concerns he and other ASEAN leaders share over the very grave situation in Myanmar.

In a letter addressed to Senior General Than Shwe of Myanmar, Mr Lee said he had discussed the matter with all the other ASEAN leaders.

The letter was written in Singapore's capacity as the ASEAN Chair.

Mr Lee said: "We are most disturbed by reports of the violent means that the authorities in Myanmar have deployed against the demonstrators, which have resulted in injuries and deaths.

"The videos and photographs of what is happening on the streets of Yangon and other cities in Myanmar have evoked the revulsion of people throughout Southeast Asia and all over the world."

Mr Lee said ASEAN agreed that the confrontation that is unfolding in Myanmar would have serious implications not just for Myanmar itself, but also for ASEAN and the whole region.

Hence, he said ASEAN's foreign ministers issued a firm statement in New York, strongly urging Myanmar to exercise utmost restraint, and to work towards a political solution for national reconciliation and a peaceful transition to democracy.

Mr Lee said ASEAN also called for the release of all political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

He said ASEAN leaders fully supported the mission by Mr Ibrahim Gambari, Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-General. Mr Gambari is in Myanmar to help all parties involved find a peaceful resolution.

PM Lee said he would like to emphasise the importance which the ASEAN countries, and indeed the whole international community, attach to Mr Gambari's mission.

He strongly urged Myanmarese authorities to grant Mr Gambari full access to all parties in Myanmar, as they had done in the past, and to work with Mr Gambari to try to find a way forward.

Mr Lee added: "ASEAN's concerns are for the welfare of the people of Myanmar, for a return to stability and normalcy, and for Myanmar to take its place among the comity of nations. I hope you will consider these views in that spirit." - CNA/de