MALAYSIA URGES AUNG SAN SUU KYI'S RELEASE

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