MFA Spokesman's Comments on PM Lee Hsien Loong's calls to ASEAN leaders on the Myanmar issue

"Singapore, as Chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee, has been consulting with the other ASEAN countries on the situation in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called his counterparts Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi of Malaysia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Philippines, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont of Thailand and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam today to express Singapore's deep concern over the very grave situation in Myanmar.

Mr Lee highlighted that the unfolding of the current confrontation in Myanmar would have implications for ASEAN and the whole region. ASEAN therefore could not credibly remain silent or uninvolved in this matter.

The other ASEAN leaders expressed similar concerns over the situation in Myanmar and the implications for ASEAN. They agreed with Mr Lee that ASEAN should put out a clear statement urging the Myanmar authorities to exercise restraint, and find a political solution for national reconciliation without resorting to violence. They also agreed on the importance of the mission to Myanmar by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari and that the Myanmar regime should accept Mr Gambari's visit and cooperate with the UN to find a peaceful solution.

In New York, where the UN General Assembly is currently in session, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo is consulting with his ASEAN counterparts on a coordinated ASEAN response."

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
27 SEPTEMBER 2007