Myanmar rejects foreign pressure in Suu Kyi trial (2nd Roundup)

May 31, 2009, 7:40 GMT

Singapore - Myanmar on Sunday warned against interference from foreign nations in its internal affairs, as international calls for a release of imprisoned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi became louder over the weekend.

   'Countries should refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar,' Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aye Myint a summit on Asian security in Singapore.

   'If any country interferes in the internal affairs of another country, that particular act may possibly affect the mutual understanding and friendly relationship between countries,' he warned.

   US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates and Britain's Minister for International Defence and Security Ann Taylor had seized the summit opportunity to pressure Myanmar's military rulers to release of all political prisoners and institute democratic reforms.

   'Now is the time for a transition to democracy starting with the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,' Taylor said.

   Gates called for a 'real change' in Myanmar describing the country as 'one of the isolated, desolate exceptions to the growing prosperity and freedom' in Asia.

   Myanmar's deputy defence minister also defended the current trial against Suu Kyi, who has spent 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest and is now charged of breaking the terms of her house arrest after an American citizen secretly swam to her lakeside residence in early May.

   Suu Kyi had 'committed a cover-up of the truth by her failure to report an illegal immigrant to the authorities,' Aye Myint said.

   'Thus, there was no option but to open legal proceedings in accordance with the law,' he added.