Reactions on SPDC’s deputy FM emergency trip to Japan

July 2, 2003

The DVB asked Dr. Thaung Tun, the NCGUB’s representative to the UN to give his reactions on the SPDC’s Deputy Foreign Minister, U Khin Maung Win’s emergency diplomatic mission to ASEAN countries and Japan.

No country will accept the explanation of the SPDC without pragmatic changes, said Dr Thaung Tun as follows:

Dr. Thaung Tun : We don’t know what kind of words U Khin Maung Win is carrying with him from General Than Shwe. But the SPDC seems to be quite shaken by the criticisms of the neighbouring countries. Therefore, it sent U Khin Maung Win to explain its position. But I don’t know what kind of explanation he is giving. If he could say constructive things like when Daw Aung San Suu is going to be released exactly, when the national reconciliation process is going to start and how it is going to accept the ASEAN delegates, it could soften the regional leaders attitudes towards the regime. But if they keep on explaining away their reason in news conferences like before, nothing will change. The reason is – their usual excuse at news conferences and ASEAN meetings of detaining Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ‘for her own safety’ is no more acceptable to anyone. If they keep doing that they won’t be able to change the minds of the regional governments including that of Japan.

After visiting Thailand and Japan, U Khin Maung Win is expected to go to Malaysia where the UN special envoy to Burma Mr. Razali Ismail lives and then to Indonesia, according to news from diplomatic circles.