[International] Thai Foreign Minister Welcomes Aung San Suu Kyi's Meeting with Red Cross Representative; Myanmar President to Visit Bangkok
RtiTalk 小編20d ago
Detained Aung San Suu Kyi met with representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the 3rd, marking her first public meeting with foreign officials since being ousted in the 2021 military coup.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow welcomed this, viewing it as progress from the Myanmar government. Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is expected to visit Bangkok on the 6th.
Myanmar's Presidential Office stated on the 3rd that the detained former democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with the ICRC representative in Myanmar on the 3rd. The ICRC later issued a statement confirming the meeting.
The ICRC noted that its驻缅甸常驻代表 (Resident Representative in Myanmar), Arnaud de Baecque, visited Aung San Suu Kyi on August 3rd. The visit was conducted in accordance with the ICRC's standards and procedures for visiting those deprived of liberty, including the opportunity for a private conversation.
The ICRC did not disclose details or the content of the meeting, only stating that, as per practice, "observations and recommendations from visits are provided confidentially to the detaining authorities; visits also allow detainees to exchange news with their families."
The Myanmar military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, imprisoning the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and triggering the ongoing civil war. After holding highly restricted elections, coup leader and former military junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as civilian president in April.
This meeting with the ICRC representative is Aung San Suu Kyi's first public encounter with foreign officials since her ouster in the 2021 military coup.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the evening of the 3rd, stating that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak welcomed the reports and photos of Aung San Suu Kyi's meeting with the ICRC representative.
The statement noted that this meeting occurred after the informal meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and the Myanmar foreign minister in Bangkok on July 12th, and ahead of the Myanmar president's upcoming visit to Thailand.
Sihasak also told the media that this represents "progress" by the Myanmar government, indicating they are responding to ASEAN and Thailand's concerns about Aung San Suu Kyi's recent situation.
Sihasak stated through the release: "It is hoped that the Myanmar government will take more proactive measures to achieve lasting peace and stability in Myanmar."
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to visit Thailand from August 6th to 7th and will meet with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. (Editor: Liu Xianghua)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=224137
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