Burma hits out at Thailand regarding Suu Kyi trial
The trial of democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi resumed today as Burma lashed out against Thailand – one of its few supporters in an international community likely to halt recent moves to improve relations with the country’s military rulers.
Ms Suu Kyi, due to testify this week, is widely expected to be found guilty for allegedly harbouring an American who swam across a lake to her residence. She faces up to five years in prison.
A list of four or five defence witnesses will be submitted to the court and statements from remaining prosecution witnesses are to be heard at today’s session inside Rangoon’s security-ringed Insein prison, said Nyan Win, a spokesman for Ms Suu Kyi’s political party.
Already bombarded by criticism from Western nations, the junta turned on neighbouring Thailand, a partner in the 10-nation Association of Southeast Nation, or Asean, accusing its neighbour of violating the bloc’s principle by interfering in Burma’s internal affairs.
Thailand, the grouping’s current chairman, last week expressed “grave concern” over the trial, saying “the honour and the credibility of the (Burma government) are at stake.”
A statement from Burma issued today responded: “It is sadly noted that (Thailand) failed to preserve the dignity of Asean, the dignity of Burma and the dignity of Thailand.”
Ms Suu Kyi, who has been in detention without trial for more than 13 of the past 19 years, is being tried on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest after the uninvited American, John W. Yettaw, swam to her home earlier this month and stayed for two days. Ms Suu Kyi pleaded not guilty on Friday.
