The Issuance of the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

1. The ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was issued with the best of intentions towards Myanmar and reflects the desire for the process of national reconciliation in Myanmar to move forward on the basis of inclusiveness, with the participation of all sectors of society. Thailand, in its capacity as the current ASEAN Chairman, shall continue to pursue constructive dialogue with the Government of the Union of Myanmar.

2. According to ASEAN’s practice, a Joint ASEAN Statement is a negotiated text, which is prepared by ASEAN officials and approved by the ASEAN Foreign Ministries or the ASEAN Heads of State/Government. An ASEAN Chairman’s Statement, however, is issued by the Government which is the current Chair of ASEAN, without the need for joint drafting by the ASEAN officials.

3. In this case, the ASEAN Senior Officials had discussed this issue and expressed views on the recent developments on 18th May 2009 and agreed that Thailand, as the current ASEAN Chair, should issue the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on recent developments about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi reflecting the views expressed in the SOM Meeting and to inform other ASEAN Foreign Ministries accordingly. Similar action had previously been taken before.