SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘WORRIED’ BY CONTINUED DETENTION OF NATIONAL LEAGUE

FOR DEMOCRACY LEADERS IN MYANMAR

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is increasingly concerned with the situation in Myanmar, following the incidents this weekend in the north of the country.  He is especially worried by the continued detention in “protective custody” of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD).

The Secretary-General believes that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior members of the NLD should be released immediately.  At this crucial juncture, he maintains that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as both a national leader and the leader of the NLD, must be allowed to play a role, in cooperation with the Government and others, in taking steps to bring about national reconciliation in Myanmar.  Moreover, all parties should act responsibly to ensure that the national reconciliation process is not undermined further.  The present situation in Myanmar is not merely a question of “law and order” but, rather, as one that derives from the political aspirations of the Myanmar people who are overwhelmingly in favour of change.

The Secretary-General has instructed his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, in his capacity as “facilitator”, to talk to the Government of Myanmar, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and other national leaders, during his 6-10 June visit, with a view to starting the process of national reconciliation.

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