Statement by Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Present Situations in Myanmar

June 5, 2003
Japanese

With regard to the incident that occurred in the northern part of Myanmar on Friday, May 30, it is deeply regrettable that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of National League for Democracy (NLD) have been put into custody.
Japan strongly calls on the Myanmar Government for rectifying the current situations, including an immediate assurance of the freedom of political activities by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of NLD, and for disclosing relevant information to the international community.
Through its continued engagement with Myanmar, Japan has been persistently calling on the Government to improve the situations. Japan continues its utmost efforts in various ways, such as conveying our concerns directly to the Government earlier than any other colleague of the international community.
Japan fully supports the initiative by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. I am informed that Ambassador Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Special Envoy of the United Nation Secretary-General, is considering his 10th visit to Myanmar. Japan expects that the Myanmar Government, when he visits, should utilize such an important opportunity as the U.N. Special Envoy's visit, to take prompt steps toward a solution of the situations and to initiate its genuine efforts toward national reconciliation.

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