November 8, 2010 - 4:24PM, smh.co.au.
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AFP
Japan says it is "deeply disappointed" by weekend elections in military-ruled Burma which excluded democracy icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan had repeatedly urged Burma to "hold free, fair and open elections", foreign ministry press secretary Satoru Sato said in a statement after Burma staged its first elections in two decades on Sunday.
Japan had "called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as holding a substantial dialogue with NLD (National League for Democracy) and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," it said, using an honorific for Suu Kyi.
"We are deeply disappointed that such expectation was not fulfilled up to the elections in spite of these efforts," the statement added.
Japan also urged the generals to release political detainees, realise a transition to a civilian and accountable system of government, and respect fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Unlike major Western nations, Japan has maintained trade and dialogue with Burma, warning that a hard line on the military junta could push it closer to neighbouring China, its main political supporter and commercial partner.
However, Tokyo has suspended economic aid since 2003, except for humanitarian and emergency purposes.
© 2010 AFP=======================================================
Top Republican urges Obama to get tough on Myanmar
A top Republican senator has urged US President Barack Obama to reject the “mockery” of Myanmar’s first election in 20 years and renew his backing for democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
“Although the Burmese junta will trumpet the theatre performed today as an election -- an exercise only the SPDC considers meaningful -- November 7, 2010 will be just another day in Burma marked by government oppression and hardship for its people,” Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday in a statement.
“I urge President Obama to renew his support for Aung San Suu Kyi and democratic forces within Burma and work to ensure that elements of the international community are not tempted to recognize this mockery of the democratic process.”
Burma was the country’s name before it was changed to Myanmar by the military junta.
Mr McConnell spoke just days after Republicans routed Obama’s fellow Democrats in mid-term elections to regain control of the House of Representatives and reduce the Democrats’ majority in the Senate.
With Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi still under house arrest and two pro-junta parties fielding about two-thirds of the total candidates, Western powers earlier denounced yesterday’s polls as rigged before voting had even been completed.
Mr Obama, on a trip to Asia, said the vote would be “anything but free and fair,” and renewed a call for the military regime to free Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners “immediately and unconditionally.”
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