SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RELEASE OF MYANMAR DETAINEES

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for

Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

      The Secretary-General welcomes the release on Wednesday of National League for Democracy Vice-Chairman U Tin Oo and 19 members of the party's youth wing, who were taken into detention four months ago.

The Secretary-General believes that this positive step, taken shortly after his Special Envoy Razali Ismail's visit to Yangon earlier this month, will contribute to the ongoing dialogue between the military authorities and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  He reiterates his call on the two sides to seize the momentum and to strive to achieve national reconciliation in Myanmar.

* *** *