NAY PYI TAW, 27 May - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today released a Press Statement in response to the Press Statement on Myanmar issued by the United Nations Security Council on 22 May.

The Press Statement released by the MOFA is as follows:-

The United Nations Security Council issued a Press Statement on Myanmar on 22 May 2009.

The Government of the Union of Myanmar, in order to ensure stability of the State and in the interest of the people, has to issue restriction order and place Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at her house under restriction in accordance with the Law to Safeguard the State against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts.

Whilst the restriction order was in effect, an intruder Mr. John William Yettaw, who is a United States citizen, entered the house of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in May, 2009, and was permitted to stay in the house for two days, communicated, given food and provided shelter by her. Therefore, legal action in accordance with law has been taken unavoidably.

Such action will not have any political impact and, thus, the action in accordance with law will be considered and carried out as the task relating to the rule of law.

The Government, in accordance with the aspirations of the people, has been implementing the Seven-Step Road Map towards a peaceful, modern and developed democratic Nation. The National Convention, first step of the Road Map, was successfully convened five times between 2004 and 2007, and it adopted basic principles and detailed basic principles for the State Constitution. More than 1,000 representatives from all strata of life, political parties, national groups and the organizations which have returned to the legal fold attended the National Convention. Thus, the genuine dialogue with the participation of all national groups had already taken place in the National Convention.

The State Constitution Drafting Commission carried out the drafting of the Constitution, third step of the Seven-Step Road Map, enshrining the basic principles and detailed basic principles adopted by the National Convention. The referendum, fourth step of the Road Map, was held in May 2008 whereby a new Constitution was overwhelmingly approved by 92.48 per cent of the voters.

In order to enable them to take part in the building of a new democratic State, 9,002 prisoners were released when the Government granted amnesty for the eighth time on 23 September 2008 in accordance with Article 401(1) of the Penal Code, and 6,313 prisoners for the ninth time on 20 February 2009.

Myanmar firmly accepts the affirmation by the members of the Security Council of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of her people. The Government will, therefore, hold multi-party general elections, fifth step of the Road Map, in 2010, and the Government is determined to continue hand-in-hand with the people to implementing the Seven-Step Road Map in accordance with the aspirations of the people.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dated: 27 May, 2009.

(Source: The New Light of Myanmar dated 28 May 2009)