Burma says international pressure to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest will not work.
A commentary published in the state media Tuesday said the release of Aung San Suu Kyi would endanger the nation and herself.
This is the latest in a long series of Burmese government statements defending its continued detention of the popular opposition leader.
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent much of the past 17 years in some form of detention.
In May, her current sentence of house arrest was extended for another year.
Meanwhile, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo announced he is postponing a planned visit to Burma that was supposed to begin Wednesday.
Romulo said the change in plans is the result of a conflict of schedule.
He had asked the Burmese military to allow a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit.
The Philippines is expected to assume the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations later this month.
Information for this report is provided by AP and REUTERS.