China wins in UNSC

From the United Nations Security Council (press statement)-

This statement should be seen in light of the unwillingness of Russia and China to call specifically for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. As noted in a previous Breaking News post on this site, China is known behind the scenes to have been digging in its heels on this point. Clearly, its a victory for Beijing. Looks like the UNSC bought unity at the price of detail, perhaps, some might say, at the price of substance.

Another issue worth thinking about is how are political prisoners defined? In the event of some sort of amnesty, who has the final say about who is released and who is not?

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON MYANMAR

The following Security Council press statement on Myanmar was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council express their concern about the political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm, in this context, their statements of 11 October 2007 and 2 May 2008 and, in this regard, reiterate the importance of the release of all political prisoners.

The members of the Security Council reiterate the need for the Government of Myanmar to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation with the support of the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council affirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and, in that context, reiterate that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all of its people.