Myanmar asks for world's patience

The Myanmar government has appealed to the world community to be patient regarding the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying it can only be done when the timing is right.

Citing the fragile domestic climate of his country, Myanmar Minister of Foreign Affairs U Win Aung said on Tuesday that the domestic political climate needed to be normalized before Suu Kyi was released.

"Please be patient with us, we are aiming not to have any upheaval in the country. We do not have any intention to prolong the arrangement," Win Aung said on the sidelines of the Asia Africa Sub-regional Organization Conference (AASROC) here.

He said his government fully understood international demands for Suu Kyi's freedom, but the release could not proceed at the expense of stability in the country.

Myanmar has been attacked for the arrest of Suu Kyi on May 30. The talks between Win Aung and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) on Monday resulted in no specific promise from Myanmar on the release of the Nobel laureate.

Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda has disclosed plans to send special envoy Ali Alatas, the country's former foreign minister, to Myanmar, but the plan was delayed indefinitely.

Alatas said on the sidelines of AASROC meeting that Myanmar must fully understand that none of the ASEAN countries had any intention to interfere with its domestic issues, but the world's demands needed a response.

"We do not want to interfere or put Myanmar in a corner but on the other hand it will be good for Myanmar to listen and to withdraw temporary restrictions imposed on madam Suu Kyi," he said.

"I think they are sensitive to the outside interference, but I do believe that they have different attitudes in regards to the fellow members of ASEAN."

Alatas further said that quiet diplomacy with Myanmar would be an effective way to solve the stand-off.

"In certain issues, especially on sensitive ones, it is better if they're solved through quiet diplomacy. Of course you must share it with the public after you achieve your goals," he said. --JP