Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Thailand has said it is ready to assist Burma in its process of political reconciliation, airing the position during the 15th anniversary of the Council of Asian Liberal Democracy (CALD) held in Bangkok late last month.

Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s Foreign Minister, during his keynote speech said Thailand is ready to help Burma in the process of political reconciliation through constructive engagement.

Nyo Ohn Myint, a Burmese activist who attended the meeting, said Kasit’s remarks reflect the general stand of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Burma.

“ASEAN has always maintained this position on Burma. They reiterated that they are supportive of Burma’s national reconciliation, but through engagement,” said Nyo Ohn Myint, who also serves as in-charge of the foreign affairs committee of the exile-based National League for Democracy – Liberated Area (NLD-LA).

Earlier, on March 31st, Mizzima received an unofficial copy of a dinner speech to be delivered by Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, which said the struggle for democracy in Burma remains daunting.

But Nyo Ohn Myint, who was at the meeting and also attended the dinner reception, said Abhisit did not deliver the speech, the Thai Premier instead issuing a separate statement.

Abhisit, in the statement, did not make any specific reference to Burma.

But the Thai Premier did say CALD, which is built on the principle of defending democracy, should break away from the popular notion that “silence and acceptance of wrongdoing is safe, polite, non-confrontational and 'Asian'.”

On the sidelines of the anniversary meeting, Nyo Ohn Myint confirmed Thailand’s leaders, including Abhisit and Kasit, reiterated their continued support to the struggle for democracy in Burma and vowed to assist in national reconciliation.

“Thailand’s position is that they want to see a more inclusive process of reconciliation and would like to see political prisoners freed, including Aung San Suu Kyi,” Nyo Ohn Myint added.

On the sidelines of the anniversary meeting, Nyo Ohn Myint confirmed Thailand’s leaders, including Abhisit and Kasit, reiterated their continued support to the struggle for democracy in Burma and vowed to assist in national reconciliation.

“Thailand’s position is that they want to see a more inclusive process of reconciliation and would like to see political prisoners freed, including Aung San Suu Kyi,” Nyo Ohn Myint added.