MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information Sheet
No. A-0851(I/L) 26 Mar.
The Government of Myanmar Urges Ms. Suu Kyi to Respond to Her
Dying Husband's Wish
The Government of Myanmar remains sympathetic to the request by
Mr. Michael Aris for a visa to Myanmar but is also very concerned for him
being a terminally ill patient in travelling strenuously halfway round the
world to see his wife, Ms. Suu Kyi.
With this in mind, in the morning of 26th of March, Colonel Than Tun, an
officer who has a good working relationship with Ms. Suu Kyi was despatched to
her University Avenue residence. Ms. Suu Kyi was offered all possible
assistance in fulfilling the gravely ill husband's wish and also was suggested
an alternative which would be more sensible and humane in the fulfilling of
the husband's dying wish to see her in the remaining days before he enters the
twilight of his existence. Regretfully, she refused the Government's offer and
the discussion abruptly ended with the officer being indicated to leave her
residence.
It is the time that material ambitions should be put aside, humanitarian
needs being put in the forefront with compassion and human values being
prioritized. The Aris family in England has publicly pleaded that Mr. Michael
Aris' illness "be treated as a family matter, with compassion, and not used
for political purposes". The Government of Myanmar totally agrees with this
statement and continues its offer to assist
Ms. Suu Kyi with all possible humanitarian assistance during this critical
stage of her husband's illness.
The Government of Myanmar sees no difficulty for Ms. Suu Kyi in returning to
Myanmar after her visit to see her husband believing that the trip be of a
purely humanitarian and family concern.