Megawati to push for Myanmar reconciliation
Megawati to push for Myanmar reconciliation
The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
President Megawati Soekarnoputri plans to make a formal
request to the Myanmar government to move forward with the
reconciliation and democratization process of the country in the
coming bilateral talks with Myanmar Prime Minister Gen. Khin
Nyut.
The bilateral talks are scheduled to be held on the sidelines
of the ninth Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) Summit
here on Tuesday. There will 14 heads of state attending, the 10
ASEAN leaders in addition to special invitees, the leaders of
Japan, India, China and South Korea.
There has not been any public confirmation for the date of the
Myanmar-Indonesian talks, but Indonesian Minister of Foreign
Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said that it would most likely be held
before the ASEAN leaders officially begin the summit on Tuesday.
"We will stress our stance, which was conveyed by the
President in a letter to (Myanmar's ruling) junta earlier this
month," Wirayuda said on Saturday.
He added that the Megawati would also use the opportunity to
hear first-hand about the steps being taken toward
democratization, directly from the top Myanmar policy makers.
Megawati had earlier stated that Indonesia would like to be
informed of a definite timeframe for the democratization road map
in that country, especially as regards the status of the pro-
democracy opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, currently under
house arrest at the orders of the military government.
The President earlier has been quoted as saying that the Suu
Kyi should be released immediately to prevent the possibility of
the issue dominating the Summit proceedings, wherein many crucial
economic and security cooperation measures will be deliberated
upon.
"During the coming foreign ministers meeting, we will also
speak on the issue with the Myanmar minister," Hassan added.
Myanmar Foreign Affairs Minister U Win Aung slated to arrive
here on Saturday, will attend the foreign ministers meeting on
Sunday (today).