Myanmarâs foreign minister on Monday rebuffed growing pressure to free pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi quickly, insisting she would not be held indefinitely and indicating the military junta was working on her release.
| "Yasss... These things take time, you know. There's paperwork involved, and lotsa people are on vacation this time of year..." |
Visiting Jakarta to convey Myanmarâs views on Suu Kyi to the leaders of Indonesia, currently chairing the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), minister Win Aung said conditions in Myanmar needed to âcoolâ down first before she could be freed.
"Cool down? For how long?"
"About 30 years should do it..." |
He gave no timetable.
That response is unlikely to please Indonesia or other key members of ASEAN, which last month delivered an unprecedented rebuke to Myanmar over Suu Kyiâs detention. Myanmar is facing mounting international anger over the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, detained since a deadly May 30 clash between her supporters and a pro-government group. ASEAN is one of the few international groups to accept Myanmar as a member.
| "Myanmar? Oooh! Ucky! Give 'em to ASEAN!" |
âItâs not a delay... We are working for everything to become normal,â Win Aung told reporters after meeting Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri. âMaybe the time will come after the cooling down.â |