Japan not to expand econ aid to Myanmar if Suu Kyi barred from election+

TOKYO, March 26 Kyodo -
Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said Friday that Tokyo will not expand
economic aid to Myanmar as earlier proposed unless the junta ensures the
participation of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and anyone concerned in
the country's general election this year.

Okada conveyed the stance to Myanmar Ambassador to Japan U Hla Myint the same
day, and also said at a news conference he would like to discuss the situation
in Myanmar during bilateral meetings with his counterparts expected to take
place on the sidelines of a Group of Eight foreign ministerial meeting to be
held in Canada next week.
Okada said he told the ambassador that Japan is hoping for ''an open election''
that will allow anyone concerned to participate.
''And I clearly said the current situation will not result in receiving (a
full-fledged economic assistance from Japan),'' he said at a regular press
conference.
Myanmar's ruling junta announced earlier in the month a new political party
registration law through state-run newspapers, which says members of a
political party are not eligible for electoral participation if they have been
convicted in court.
Suu Kyi, who has long been under detention, was convicted last year of
violating the terms of her house arrest.
The ambassador did not clearly tell Okada whether Suu Kyi will be among those
who are barred from the election, according to Okada.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said last November when Myanmar Prime
Minister Gen. Thein Sein visited Japan that he would like to expand, in phases,
humanitarian and human resources assistance to Myanmar.
==Kyodo
2010-03-27 01:34:53


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