China defends Myanmar's democratic process

Wed, 24 Mar 2010

New York - China's new ambassador to the United Nations, Li Baodong, on Wednesday urged respect for Myanmar's electoral laws, which have been challenged by the country's opposition as well as the UN leadership.

"General elections can be held in any country, it's a matter of a sovereign state," Li told reporters, emerging from a UN Security Council meeting in which issues in Myanmar were discussed. China has usually objected to discussion on the internal matters of other countries.

"It is very important for the international community and the UN Security Council, and the UN, to help Myanmar promote a healthy environment conducive to general elections," Li said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has been asking the military government in Yangon to make the elections this year inclusive by releasing all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the opposition National League for Democracy. Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest, has appealed for her participation in the elections, but has been rejected.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the council took up Myanmar's political issues because the situation is considered by council members to be a threat to international peace and security.

"The instability that can be caused by a fraudulent electoral process is a threat to international peace and security, and this is why it was entirely right for the council to put it on the agenda for discussion," Grant said.

The council debated the issues behind closed doors, but did not decide on any action.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/315654,china-defends-myanmars-democratic-process.html.