NAYPYITAW: Myanmar leader Aung San SuuKyi condemned all human rights violations on Tuesday and saidanyone responsible for abuses in troubled Rakhine State wouldface the law, and she felt deeply for the suffering of everyonecaught up in conflict there.
Suu Kyisaid Myanmar did not fear international scrutiny and wascommitted to a sustainable solution to the conflict.
The United Nations has branded the military operation in thewestern state ethnic cleansing.Suu Kyi did not address thataccusation but said her government condemned rights violationsand anyone responsible for abuses would face the law.
"We condemn all human rights violations and unlawfulviolence.We are committed to the restoration of peace andstability and rule of law throughout the state," Suu Kyi said inher address in the capital, Naypyitaw.
Long feted in the West for her role as champion of Myanmar’sdemocratic opposition in the Buddhist-majority country duringyears of military rule and house arrest, Suu Kyi has facedgrowing criticism for saying little about the abuses faced bythe Rohingya.
"Human rights violations and all other acts that impairstability and harmony and undermine the rule of law will beaddressed in accordance with strict laws and justice," she said.
"We feel deeply for the suffering of all the people caughtup in the conflict."The United States urged the Myanmar government on Monday toend military operations in Rakhine state, grant humanitarianaccess, and commit to aiding the safe return of civilians to
their homes.
´NO CLEARANCE OPERATIONS´
Myanmar´s powerful military remains in full charge ofsecurity and Suu Kyi did not comment on the military operationsexcept to say that since Sept.5, there had been "no armedclashes and there have been no clearance operations".
"Nevertheless, we are concerned to hear that numbers ofMuslims are fleeing across the border to Bangladesh," she said."We want to find out why this exodus is happening.
We wouldlike to talk to those who have fled as well as those who havestayed.I think it is very little known a great majority ofMuslims in the Rakhine state have not joined the exodus.
"She said her government had been making every effort torestore peace and stability and to promote harmony between theMuslim and largely Buddhist Rakhine communities.
Suu Kyi, 72, is banned from the presidency by themilitary-drafted constitution because her children have Britishcitizenship.
She holds offices of the state counsellor andminister for foreign affairs, and is the de facto leader of theadministration.
In her address, Suu Kyi did not use the term “Rohingya” torefer to the Muslim minority in Rakhine State.Members of the 1.1 million group, who identify themselves bythe term Rohingya, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegalimmigrants from Bangladesh.
The term is a divisive issue.Most Rohingya do not have Myanmar citizenship.