The salient points mentioned at the briefing are as follows:-

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General Ambassador Razali Ismail paid a visit to Myanmar from 6 to 10 June. He left Yangon early this afternoon.

During his visit, he called upon Vice Chairman Vice Senior General Maung Aye and had extensive discussions with Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt.

In the course of the meetings, the Myanmar side was able to assure him that we regarded the incident as most unfortunate and that our commitment to national reconciliation and democratization remains firm.

We also informed him that the safe custody measures instituted are temporary and that they will be lifted as soon as the situation returns to normal.

One of the agenda of Ambassador Razali’s current mission is to have a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The international community has also shown great interest in the matter.

I wish to inform you that he met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi earlier today. He was very pleased with this special gesture on the part of our Government and expressed his deepest appreciation.

I am now also in a position to provide more infonnation about the incident that took place on the night of 30th May.

An official inquest is being conducted by the Police Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Preliminary investigation reveals that the incident began when the convoy of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi attempted to plow through the crowd that was blocking the road. Up to that point there were no incidents of violence.

However, since some people were hit by the cars in the convoy, a melee ensued between the followers and opponents of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. As it was nighttime and in an area with no public lighting, there was much confusion and things got out of hand.

Finally, when the police regained control of the situation, four persons were found dead and 48 persons injured. As a result, the Dapayin Police Station has opened a case under Section 304 (A) of the Penal code.

Contrary to the exaggerated reports circulated by some quarters, I wish to confirm once again that only four persons died during the incident, not 70 or more as alleged.

As for the 48 people injured in the clash, 16 were treated for superficial wounds and sent home without having to undergo treatment at the hospital. Out of the 32 persons hospitalized, 14 have been subsequently discharged from the hospital and only 18 are still undergoing treatment in the hospital. According to preliminary enquiries, the injured included both local people as well as members of the NLD party.

These are the facts that we are able to garner from the preliminary police investigation. The inquest is still on going and we hope to uncover more details in the near future. However, wild speculations and rumors are still being spread.

Allow me to say categorically that allegations that the attack was premeditated are unfounded. As I have stated, the melee began when the cars belonging to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s convoy tried to force their way through the crowd in the dark of the night. Both Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo were not hurt in the incident. After his meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi earlier today, Ambassador Razali confirmed that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is well and has not been injured in the incident.

I wish to assure you that the police inquest will be conducted fairly and objectively.