Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi Concerning the Situation in the Union of Myanmar and the Lifting of Restrictions on the Movements of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

May 6, 2002
Japanese

The Government of Japan greatly welcomes that the Government of Myanmar recommitted themselves to allow all their citizens to participate freely in the life of their political process and to continue to further release detainees, and decided to lift the restrictions on the movements of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Myanmar, on 6 May, as a result of the confidence building that has accumulated between the two sides.
This move presents evidence that a significant step has been taken toward democratization by the Government of Myanmar and we would like to express our respect for the decisive step taken by the leaders of the government. Furthermore, we would like to praise most highly the role played by the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy H.E. Mr. Razali Ismail in promoting confidence building between the Government of Myanmar and Daw Suu Kyi.
The Government of Japan has expected to see concrete progress without delay in the dialogue between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and Daw Suu Kyi. At every opportunity, we have conveyed this view to the Government of Myanmar. We expect that Daw Suu Kyi, as now being ensured to engage freely in political activities, will play a constructive role towards full national reconciliation in Myanmar, together with all the relevant parties including ethnic groups.
Our stance is to support efforts towards democratization and nation-building in Myanmar, and from this perspective we will implement cooperation for the Baluchanung No. 2 Hydropower Plant Rehabilitation Project. Should it be the case that the democratization process is further accelerated, the Government of Japan will support the efforts towards nation-building in a more active manner.

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