International Statements
| Countries supporting elections |
Countries critical of elections |
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ASEAN 7 Oct - ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan said that the ASEAN community expects a new era will emerge in Myanmar and believes Myanmar will be able to cooperate well with its neighbor countries after the election.Cambodia
4 November - Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the government hoped the elections in Burma would be carried out in a “democratic and transparent” manner.
China 4 Nov - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said “We hope the election runs smoothly and that Myanmar [Burma] will constantly promote democracy and development.” Hong stated that for Burma to maintain internal social stability and hold the election successfully served the fundamental interests of the Burmese people and promoted regional peace and prosperity.
India 30 Sept - India’s National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said that November elections in Burma may offer hope for the country's future Japan
29 Oct - Japan and the five South-East Asian countries on the Mekong River issued a joint statement Friday calling for free and fair elections in Myanmar. |
United Nations
15 Oct - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said: “Myanmar’s lack of engagement is deeply frustrating, as it not only contradicts its stated policy of cooperation with the United Nations but also limits my ability to fully implement the mandate entrusted to me by the General Assembly.” He also urged the government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners ahead of the elections as this would be a signal of their commitment to a credible electoral process. Indonesia
18 Oct - The Indonesian government has criticised the Burmese regime’s announcement that foreign reporters and monitors would be barred from covering the first national election in 20 years. “The planned election, long awaited both by the Myanmarese and the international community, would serve its purpose best with thorough media coverage,” Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told The Jakarta Post 27 Oct - Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo called Burma's election "a farce" ahead of the Asean summit. United Kingdom
The British government doesn't recognize Burma's general election as a legitimate competition, a Foreign Office minister said. On Sept 16 British Foreign Secretary William Hague also condemned it as “a sham” designed to keep the military regime in power, even after the polls
United States of America 18 Oct US State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley said restrictions imposed on foreign media and outside election observers on access to the Nov. 7 elections in Burma are “unfortunate” and a sign of continued rigidity of the country's military rulers. Earlier on 13 Oct Washington said it hopes that whatever government emerges from general elections in Myanmar will proceed along a new path. |
