PRESS RELEASE 12/98 OF ME,WDC

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                          EMBASSY OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR
	     
                                       WASHINGTON,  DC
	   

              PRESS   RELEASE 	12/98         9 September 1998         		      



 
Myanmar Deplores US Statement


	The Government of Myanmar  deplores that the US  State Department Spokesman,
James  P. Rubin commenting on the domestic affairs of Myanmar on  8 September
1998 referred to " arbitrary detentions "  and  " a decision to deport  Aung
San Suu Kyi ".

	Mr. Rubin's assertions are incorrect. The fact is no member of the NLD has
been arrested or charged with a crime. Only some NLD members  have been
invited to government guest houses for discussions to help promote a peaceful
transition to a multiparty democracy. The NLD representatives themselves  have
been most cooperative.

	The State Department is also off the mark when it accuses the Government of
threatening to deport Aung San Suu Kyi. The Government has made no such
threat. The State Department's charge is no doubt based on a recent article by
a free lance writer in a local paper  expressing his personal opinion that
Aung San Suu Kyi deserved to be deported. Some have expressed differing views.
Yet others have voiced the hope that she would be less intransigent.  Be that
as it may, the views expressed in newspaper columns are entirely those of the
authors and the Government cannot be held responsible for them.

	It is the obligation of every government to protect and promote the rights of
all its citizens and to provide a safe and secure environment for them to
develop and prosper. The absence of war and strife in Myanmar stands out in
sharp contrast to the struggles and human misery faced by  many a developing
country.

	Peace prevails in Myanmar today and the Government of Myanmar stands ready to
welcome any effort by the US and the international community to help maintain
stability in its transition to a multiparty democracy.

	In the circumstance, irresponsible comments by observers who are not fully
aware of the current situation in Myanmar can only serve  to hinder  the
transition to democracy and should be avoided.
	


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