NAY PYI TAW, 24 May - Thailand, currently the alternate chairman of ASEAN, on 18 May, 2009, issued the press statement of the alternate chairman of ASEAN. In response to it, Myanmar issued a statement rejecting it. The statement says-

1 . The Government of the Union of Myanmar, for ensuring stability of the State and in the interest of the people, had to issue restriction order and place Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under restriction at her house in accord with the Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts.

2 . Whilst the restriction order was in effect, in May, 2009 an intruder Mr. John William Yettaw who is a United States citizen entered the house of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and she permitted him to stay, communicated, gave him food and shelter and thus there was no option but to open legal proceedings in accordance with law.

3 . Basing on the action taken against her, Thailand, who is currently the alternate chairman of ASEAN, issued the Chairman's Press Statement dated 18-5-2009.

4 . Action against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is taken in accordance with the normal practice in every state and it is merely the internal affairs of Myanmar. Therefore, the statement of Thailand issued as the alternate chairman of ASEAN deviates from the principles of the ASEAN Charter and is tantamount to interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar.

5 . To issue statements including the chairman's statement, ASEAN needs to prepare a draft at the level of Senior Officials Meeting and then submit it to the Foreign Ministers level to seek approval. The statement is to be issued only after consensus. Although the issuing of the statement coincides with the Senior Officials Meeting, Thailand did not allow it to be discussed. It informed the Foreign Ministers only after the issue of the statement and thus it unilaterally deviated from the ASEAN practice having issued not in good faith but in accord with its own wishes. Such an act may cause an undesirable tradition in ASEAN. Moreover, the statement expression of "concerned about the health of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi due to action against her" is incorrect. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is provided with adequate health care and she is in good health. Thus, it is sadly noted that the Alternate ASEAN Chairman failed to preserve the dignity of ASEAN, the dignity of Myanmar and the dignity of Thailand.

6 . Whatsoever it may be, this statement issued by the Alternate ASEAN Chairman, which is not in conformity with ASEAN practice, incorrect in facts, interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar is strongly rejected by Myanmar, it is learnt.

(Source: The New Light of Myanmar dated 25 May 2009)