Monday, July 23, 2007

Myanmar firm on Suu Kyi detention

Myanmar firm on Suu Kyi detention

Suu Kyi's arrest has sparked protest around the world.
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JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Myanmar is refusing to bow to international pressure over the detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying she would be released "one day" but giving no firm timetable.
Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, Myanmar's Foreign Minister Win Aung said the Nobel Peace Prize winner's detention would not be "indefinite" but the country's military rulers had yet to formulate a policy for her release.
Win Aung is in the Indonesian capital for talks with President Megawati Sukarnoputri during which he is expected to face questioning over Aung San Su Kyi's arrest.
Indonesia currently holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and has come under pressure from the international community to help find a solution to the deadlock in Myanmar.
Asked whether there was a possibility that Aun San Suu Kyi would be released, Win Aung replied: "Of course. She will not remain there for a long period."
He also denied that ASEAN was putting pressure on Myanmar over the issue saying Yangon's Southeast Asian neighbors were working with the government to resolve the issue.
"No, no, we are working together," he said, giving no further details.
Earlier, he told the Associated Press that Myanmar would announce her release "when the time comes."
"She will be free ... one day," he said.
Despite mounting international pressure, Myanmar has refused to say where Aung San Suu Kyi is being held or when she will be freed.
The leader of the opposition National League for Democracy and daughter of Myanmar's independence hero was arrested on May 30 following a clash between her supporters and a pro-government gang.
Since then the government's version of the circumstances surrounding the clash have been given wide play in state-run media, with commentators accusing the opposition leader of plotting to seize power.
Last week Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned that Myanmar could face expulsion from ASEAN as a last resort if Aung San Suu Kyi is not freed.

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