July 5, 200917 yr The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Release Prisoners, Says PM By: ANUCHA CHAROENPO Published: 6/07/2009 Thailand wants the Burmese government to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners as part of its national reconciliation process, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn says. The position was conveyed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in talks on Saturday. Thailand is chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations until the end of the year. Mr Ban made a stopover in Bangkok on his way from Burma. The Burmese junta refused his request to meet Mrs Suu Kyi who is on trial for violating her detention conditions. Although Mr Ban's request was rejected, Thailand supported the UN in playing a role in attempts to bring about national reconciliation in Burma, Mr Panitan quoted the prime minister as saying. The 10-member Asean will try to address the problem of Burma at meetings of Southeast Asian foreign ministers and the grouping's coming summit, he said. Asean foreign ministers will hold talks on July 20 in Phuket followed by talks until July 23 with their dialogue partners. Their leaders will gather at the resort island in October. Mr Ban told the prime minister he was disappointed with Burma for not allowing him to meet the National League for Democracy leader. The prime minister will pay his first official visit to Burma at the end of the month, the acting spokesman said. It was uncertain whether he would raise the issue of Mrs Suu Kyi at meetings with Burmese leaders, he said.
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