Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KUALALUMPUR391
2009-05-20 08:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
MALAYSIA URGES AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE
how-toVZCZCXRO8746 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0391 1400853 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 200853Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2744 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000391
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM PINS BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA URGES AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE
REF: A. STATE 51076 - S-FM MEETING
B. KL 365 - URGING ASSK RELEASE
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000391
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM PINS BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA URGES AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE
REF: A. STATE 51076 - S-FM MEETING
B. KL 365 - URGING ASSK RELEASE
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (U) Malaysia has spoken out in Washington and at home to
express concern over Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and to urge her
release by the Burmese regime. During a joint press
conference with Secretary Clinton following their May 14
meeting in Washington (ref A),Malaysia's Foreign Minister
Anifah Aman said, "we are also very concerned at to what's
happening in Burma," a reference to the Secretary's remarks
on fresh charges filed against ASSK. Anifah stated that upon
his return to Malaysia he intended to contact the ASEAN
Secretary General to propose a meeting to address Burma as
the issue was a concern to all members.
2. (C) On May 16, the Ambassador contacted the Prime
Minister's office and polcouns spoke with the Foreign
Ministry official in charge of Burma to encourage Malaysia to
make more explicit public calls for ASSK's release. The MFA
official confirmed that a statement would be forthcoming.
3. (U) Foreign Minister Anifah returned to Malaysia on May
17. On May 19, the Foreign Ministry made available a press
statement reiterating concern over ASSK's detention, and
calling for her "immediate release" along with the release of
other political detainees. The statement, dated May 18, also
welcomed Thailand's proposal to discuss Burma at the May
19-20 ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Phuket. Only
Malaysia's national news agency, Bernama, carried a report of
the Foreign Ministry's statement.
4. (U) The full text of the Foreign Ministry's press release
dated May 18 follows:
Press Release by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Pertaining to the Recent Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi
The Government of Malaysia is concerned on the recent
detention of Aung San Suu Kyi on 14 May, 2009. Malaysia is
of the view that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi will
undermine the process of national reconciliation and the Road
Map to Democracy in Myanmar.
In line with the ASEAN's Chairman Statement issued at the
14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin on 1 March, 2009 that the
Government of Myanmar facilitates the national reconciliation
process to be more inclusive and involve all stakeholders in
Myanmar, Malaysia urges the Government of Myanmar to release
Aung San Suu Kyi. Her immediate release including other
political detainees and the inclusion of all political
parties in the political process leading to the forthcoming
general election in 2010 will contribute significantly to the
national reconciliation process, thereby contributing to
peace and prosperity in the country. Malaysia hopes that the
general elections will be held in a peaceful and just manner.
Malaysia welcomes the proposal by Thailand as the current
Chairman of ASEAN for the ASEAN Senior Officials at the
meeting in Phuket on 19-20 May, 2009 to discuss the present
situation in Myanmar.
End statement.
KEITH
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2014
TAGS: PREL PHUM PINS BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA URGES AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE
REF: A. STATE 51076 - S-FM MEETING
B. KL 365 - URGING ASSK RELEASE
Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b and
d).
1. (U) Malaysia has spoken out in Washington and at home to
express concern over Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) and to urge her
release by the Burmese regime. During a joint press
conference with Secretary Clinton following their May 14
meeting in Washington (ref A),Malaysia's Foreign Minister
Anifah Aman said, "we are also very concerned at to what's
happening in Burma," a reference to the Secretary's remarks
on fresh charges filed against ASSK. Anifah stated that upon
his return to Malaysia he intended to contact the ASEAN
Secretary General to propose a meeting to address Burma as
the issue was a concern to all members.
2. (C) On May 16, the Ambassador contacted the Prime
Minister's office and polcouns spoke with the Foreign
Ministry official in charge of Burma to encourage Malaysia to
make more explicit public calls for ASSK's release. The MFA
official confirmed that a statement would be forthcoming.
3. (U) Foreign Minister Anifah returned to Malaysia on May
17. On May 19, the Foreign Ministry made available a press
statement reiterating concern over ASSK's detention, and
calling for her "immediate release" along with the release of
other political detainees. The statement, dated May 18, also
welcomed Thailand's proposal to discuss Burma at the May
19-20 ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Phuket. Only
Malaysia's national news agency, Bernama, carried a report of
the Foreign Ministry's statement.
4. (U) The full text of the Foreign Ministry's press release
dated May 18 follows:
Press Release by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Pertaining to the Recent Detention of Aung San Suu Kyi
The Government of Malaysia is concerned on the recent
detention of Aung San Suu Kyi on 14 May, 2009. Malaysia is
of the view that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi will
undermine the process of national reconciliation and the Road
Map to Democracy in Myanmar.
In line with the ASEAN's Chairman Statement issued at the
14th ASEAN Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin on 1 March, 2009 that the
Government of Myanmar facilitates the national reconciliation
process to be more inclusive and involve all stakeholders in
Myanmar, Malaysia urges the Government of Myanmar to release
Aung San Suu Kyi. Her immediate release including other
political detainees and the inclusion of all political
parties in the political process leading to the forthcoming
general election in 2010 will contribute significantly to the
national reconciliation process, thereby contributing to
peace and prosperity in the country. Malaysia hopes that the
general elections will be held in a peaceful and just manner.
Malaysia welcomes the proposal by Thailand as the current
Chairman of ASEAN for the ASEAN Senior Officials at the
meeting in Phuket on 19-20 May, 2009 to discuss the present
situation in Myanmar.
End statement.
KEITH