New Delhi (Mizzima) – While urging the regime to conduct a fair trial of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday said the issue is an internal affair and does not warrant the attention of the UN Security Council.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s information and press department on Sunday said it rejects any attempts to bring the Burma issue to the United Nations Security Council saying it is an internal affair and does not pose a threat to peace and security of the region and the world community, according a report by Moscow-based the ITAR-TASS News Agency.
“Moscow opposes attempts to internationalize the internal situation in Myanmar [Burma], because it does not endanger peace and security in the region and the world at large,” the report quoted Kremlin’s Information and Press department as saying.
While the press department said, “We see no reason why the UN Security Council should discuss Myanmar [Burma],” it also urges the Burmese generals for greater openness and cooperation with the international community, including the mission of Ibrahim Gambari, the UN Secretary General’s Special envoy to Burma.
Russia also expresses its expectations of a fair trial of the Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently facing trial at Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest by ‘harbouring’ an uninvited US man, John William Yettaw, to her lakeside home in early May.
“Russia hopes that the trial of Myanmar [Burma] Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be unbiased, strictly comply with national laws and humanitarian standards, and take into account the international opinion,” the Foreign Ministry added.
Aung Naing Oo, a Burmese observer based in Thailand pointed out that Russian’s call to the junta to conduct a fair trial of the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is unusual.
“It is a little surprising that Russia is talking about Burma’s political issue for the first time. It is also interesting,” he said.
But he said he is not optimistic that the Burmese regime will pay any heed to the call made by Russia, one of the junta’s major supporters.
“There is no effective and pragmatic work plan in Russia’s statement. For the Burmese regime to act, talks are not enough,” he added.
Nyo Ohn Myint, in-charge of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National League for Democracy – Liberated Area (NLD-LA) in exile said, the Russian call probably came after the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) pressurized the Burmese junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and to restore democracy in Burma.
“Russia seems to have made the call after ASEAN urged Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi,” Nyo Ohn Myint said.
Following the junta’s charge and trial of democracy icon, activists across the world have condemned the junta and called on neighbouring countries as well as Russia to pressurize the junta.
Russia along with China had vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Burma, sponsored by US and UK, in 2007.
“In our opinion, the political and economic pressure on that country [Burma] is counterproductive, as it enhances isolationist feelings of the Myanmar [Burma] military and exacerbates the socioeconomic position of citizens,” Russia said.
“We are confident that this negotiating mechanism is useful in building mutual understanding and confidence between Myanmar [Burma] and the world,” added the department.
Moreover, Russia has agreed to build a nuclear research centre, which includes a 10MW light-water reactor and facilities for processing and storing nuclear waste in Burma.
“Because of its economic connections and increased diplomatic ties, I don’t think Russia will press the Burmese regime to make political changes in the country,” Aung Naing Oo remarks.
