Chief of Myanmar Police Force Brigadier-General Khin Yi answers questions after a news conference at the Drugs Elimination Museum in Yangon on June 25.

AMERICAN John Yettaw’s visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s lakeside home last month occurred with “behind-the-scenes” support from unnamed people or organisations, Chief of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi told a news conference on June 25.

The news conference – held at the Drugs Elimination Museum in Kamaryut township, Yangon – was attended by diplomats, journalists, UN representatives and government officials.

“We are still investigating who or what organisation is managing, funding and masterminding him,” Brig Gen Khin Yi told the audience.

He recounted the case and evidence against Mr Yettaw, explaining that the 54-year-old American had been charged on May 6 with entering a restricted zone and violating local immigration laws after he was found swimming in Inya Lake on his way back from a visit to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house.

In presenting evidence in support of the theory that Mr Yettaw was operating with backing from unnamed organisations, Brig-Gen Khin Yi wondered aloud why “such a sick person chose a long way” to visit Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house in May, after he had used a much shorter route on a previous visit.

Maps presented as evidence at the news conference show the path John Yettaw allegedly took to and from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s home on November 30, 2008 (up) and last month (lower).

“In the first time on 30 November 2008, Mr Yettaw got into Inya Lake through the drainpipe near the [South Korean] embassy on University Avenue,” he said. But for his visit of May 3 to 5, the American intruder chose an “unsafe, over 3000 yards long route across Inya Lake, instead of the usual route that was safe for his escape and security”.

Brig-Gen Khin Yi also emphasised the fact that Mr Yettaw was arrested only about 30 yards from the residence of the charge d’affaires of the US embassy.
“Isn’t it strange? Can’t we deduce that he incited this problem deliberately? In addition, we have to think that if there are any accomplices,” he said.

Brig-Gen Khin Yi also mentioned that despite reports that Mr Yettaw was poor, “we found that he can visit Myanmar from US taking long flight for two times spending a lot of money”.

“Mr Yettaw, who has no permanent job and regular income and who is poor could stay in Myanmar and Thailand for months at a huge expenditure,” he said.

In summing up his news conference, the Chief of Myanmar Police Force conceded that Mr Yettaw was the main player in the case.

“It is crystal clear and undeniable that he is the key player in this case. There may be persons who are controlling Mr Yettaw, directing the scheme and providing financial assistance to him. We are still trying to expose those persons and the organisations they represent,” Brig Gen Khin Yi said.

“Anyhow, Mr Yettaw is the main person who broke the law and committed the crime,” he said.