By Goh Chin Lian  (Picture: SM Goh had a frank discussion with Gen Than Shwe on Myanmar's developments, at their meeting in the capital Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. - Lianhe Zaobao photo)

While acknowledging that the trial is Myanmar's domestic affair, the Singapore leader also pointed out that there is an international element to it that should not be ignored.

Mr Goh made these comments during meetings he had with the country's top leader, Senior General Than Shwe, who is the chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, as well as General Thein Sein, Myanmar's Prime Minister.

Other senior leaders of the council were also present, Mr Ho Tong Yen, the press secretary to the Senior Minister, told reporters yesterday.

Mr Goh is in Myanmar on an official visit at the invitation of Gen Thein Sein.

Myanmar's leaders have been in the international spotlight over the past few weeks after they pressed charges against Ms Suu Kyi for breaching her house arrest conditions. The latest charges stem from an incident last month when American John Yettaw swam to her lakeside house.

Ms Suu Kyi, who has been in detention for 13 of the past 19 years, faces up to five years in jail if convicted of the charges.

Asean, of which Myanmar is a member, as well as a number of individual Asean countries, including Singapore, have expressed concern and dismay over the trial, and have called for the release of Ms Suu Kyi.

Her trial was one of two issues that dominated yesterday's meetings, which lasted for more than an hour each.

The other issue was Myanmar's democratisation process leading up to preparations for its elections next year, the first in 20 years.

The leaders brought up these points when they briefed Mr Goh on their domestic preoccupations. Elaborating, Gen Thein Sein said Myanmar was aware that it had to address the concerns of three groups: the people of Myanmar, Asean countries and the international community, including the United Nations.

One concern raised by Mr Goh was the importance of conducting the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner in order for it to have legitimacy.

Both Gen Than Shwe and Gen Thein Sein assured him that this would be so, and stressed that they were determined to hold free and fair elections next year.

Emphasising that the elections must also be inclusive, Mr Goh said the opposition National League for Democracy led by Ms Suu Kyi must be part of the process of national reconciliation.

He balanced his remarks by noting that the opposition also needs to recognise the pivotal role that the military plays in this process by maintaining stability in the multi-ethnic country of more than 49 million people.

He recognised the challenge the government faces in persuading all 17 ethnic groups that have signed a ceasefire agreement to lay down arms and take part in the elections.

All in, Mr Goh had a frank exchange of views with the leaders on Myanmar's developments, his press secretary noted.

The meetings took place in Nay Pyi Taw, which replaced Yangon as Myanmar's administrative capital and seat of government in 2006.

Mr Goh, a first-time visitor to Nay Pyi Taw, was briefed on its progress. Eight-lane highways, offices and apartment blocks, as well as golf courses and hotels, are fast taking shape in this sprawling but still quiet town.

He left in the afternoon for Mandalay, the third stop on his four-day visit that started on Monday.

Mr Goh met Major-General Tin Ngwe, Central Command Commander and chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, who briefed him on the development of Myanmar's second largest city and cultural capital.

Today, Mr Goh is due to visit Taunggyi, capital of Shan state, before returning to Yangon.

-end of ST article