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Burma bans journalists, diplomats from Suu Kyi trial
Irrawaddy - May 21, 2009
Journalists and diplomats were barred from attending the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday, one day after it granted permission for journalists and diplomats to attend the trial, according to diplomats in Rangoon.
The Burmese government allowed 10 journalist and dozens of diplomats inside the courtroom for the first time on Wednesday.
This frame grab shows Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi (C) being escorted to a car on the third day of her trial at Rangoon's Insein Prison, after the junta allowed diplomats and media to observe the trial on May 20. (Photo: Reuters TV/MRTV) According to TV footage from the regime's media, a smiling, healthy looking Suu Kyi entered the courtroom wearing a salmon colored Burmese jacket and maroon sarong. She greeted envoys from Thailand, Singapore and Russia. Authorities allowed one diplomat from each of the 30 foreign embassies in Rangoon to attend the trial.
According to a press statement from the Singapore foreign ministry, Suu Kyi told the diplomats that she and her two housekeepers are healthy and being treated well by the authorities.
"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also informed the three diplomatic representatives that there could be many opportunities for national reconciliation if all parties so wished, and that she did not wish to use the intrusion into her home as a way to get at the Myanmar authorities."
"She also expressed the view that it was not too late for something good to come out of this unfortunate incident. As dean and on behalf of the diplomatic corps, [Singapore] Ambassador Chua expressed the hope that there would be peaceful national reconciliation and that representatives of the diplomatic corps would be able to meet both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar leaders regularly."
Suu Kyi thanked diplomats for coming to the trial on Wednesday and said she hoped to meet them again in "better days."
However, diplomats said they assume the special court in Rangoon's Insein Prison will find Suu Kyi guilty finally. "The access we had today was welcome, but doesn't change the fundamental reality," British Ambassador Mark Canning told the British Broadcasting Corp., referring to the belief that Suu Kyi is being unfairly held and tried. "All the paraphernalia of the courtroom was there, the judges, the prosecution, the defense. But I think this is a story where the conclusion is already scripted."
It is unknown if the junta will reopen the court proceedings in coming days. Thursday is the fourth day of the trial.
Meanwhile Suu Kyi's lawyer said that Burma's military regime appeared to be rushing through the trial. "Now it is very clear that they are trying to speed up the trial," he told reporters on Tuesday at party headquarters. "If it goes on at this rate, it could even be over by next week."
Suu Kyi, 63, has spent 13 of the past 19 years under house arrest without trial. She is accused of violating the conditions of her detention by allowing an overnight stay by John W. Yettaw, an American who two weeks ago swam across Inya Lake to reach her compound. He also is on trial for violating Burmese security laws.
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