VARIOUS: OPPOSITION GROUP ASKS FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON MYANMAR TO RELEASE AUNG SAN SUU KYI
Record ID:
647278
VARIOUS: OPPOSITION GROUP ASKS FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON MYANMAR TO RELEASE AUNG SAN SUU KYI
- Title: VARIOUS: OPPOSITION GROUP ASKS FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON MYANMAR TO RELEASE AUNG SAN SUU KYI
- Date: 28th September 2003
- Summary: (W3) BANGKOK, THAILAND (SEPTEMBER 27, 2003) (REUTERS) SCU INTERNET WEB PAGES ABOUT AUNG SAN SUU KYI (2 SHOTS)
- Embargoed: 13th October 2003 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND / YANGON, MYANMAR
- City:
- Country: Burma (Myanmar)
- Topics: General,Politics,People
- Reuters ID: LVA4ZGOKLDAK98L7QB4JIBTXTK4H
- Story Text: Opposition group asks for more international pressure on
Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi.
Myanmar tightened security around the lakeside
home of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday
(September 27) as Western governments and opposition groups
demanded her release from house arrest.
The Nobel laureate, who had major surgery a week ago,
was driven late on Friday (September 26) from a hospital in
the capital to the house where she was confined for more
than seven of the past 14 years.
Security was tight near her home with police checking
cars and restricting access.
Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours, embarrassed by
her nearly four months in detention, said Suu Kyi's return
home was a positive gesture by the military government.
Indonesia and Thailand, among the Southeast Asian
neighbours pushing for her release before a regional summit
next month, said Yangon's decision to move her should not
be ignored.
But Britain and the United States demanded her
immediate release.
Exiled opposition group, the National Coalition
Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), said Suu Kyi's
move to her home was not enough.
"We welcome it, it is the first step, but only a very
small step. What we are requesting is, and also ASEAN is
requesting, is to release her unconditionally before the
ASEAN summit", said San Aung, a member of the NCGUB.
ASEAN is one of the few groups to accept Myanmar and
exiled dissidents want association to get tough with their
unruly neighbour. "They are not totally free, they are not
totally ignorant, they are not totally don't care about
international pressure. They care about international
pressure, especially the United States," said San Aung.
Critics of the junta, led by the United States and the
European Union, have tightened sanctions since Suu Kyi's
arrest.
ASEAN'S secretary general said last week Yangon's
actions were hurting the group, but he did not expect any
serious moves at the Bali meeting to expel Myanmar.
Suu Kyi's doctor said on Friday (September 26) the
major surgery which the Nobel laureate sustained a week
ago, has been successful.
"I'm pleased after the operation," said Dr Tin Myo.
He added that she would not be free to come and go but
that she should finish recovery well at home.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's independence hero,
won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize while under house arrest.
She was detained on May 30 after a clash between her
followers and government supporters. Many of her followers
were also held.
Myanmar's military rulers said Suu Kyi, held in
isolation at a secret location before entering the
hospital, had returned home, but did not say whether she
was under house arrest.
U.N. envoy Razali Ismail visits Myanmar on Tuesday
(September 30) for talks with the military, who have ruled
since 1962.
Razali helped persuade the generals to free Suu Kyi
from house arrest in May 2002. He is keen to revive talks
between the military and Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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