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	ASIA: DISSIDENT'S RELEASE RAISES HOPES OF DEMOCRACY FOR BURMA
BURMA AUNG SECOND DAYLEAD
   By Aye Aye Win of The Associated Press
	   RANGOON, July 10 AP _ The champion of Burma's democracy 
movement, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, ended almost six years 
of house arrest today, raising hopes that the military junta might 
be easing its lock on power.
	   Several hundred colleagues, supporters and journalists gathered 
in a light rain outside Suu Kyi's lakeside home in Rangoon as the 
unofficial news of her release spread.
	   "What more can I say? I am very happy. The country is happy," 
said General Tin Oo, former defence minister and one-time chairman 
of Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.
	   Other party leaders entered the compound, but Suu Kyi said 
through a security guard that she did not immediately want to talk 
to the media.
	   Suu Kyi, 50, would have completed her sentence July 19. She was 
placed under house arrest in 1989 for leading a pro-democracy 
uprising that the military brutally repressed.
	   Authorities had hinted recently that they might extend her 
sentence, and her release came as a surprise. An official source 
told The Associated Press of the release this afternoon, and the 
Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, confirmed the release.
   "The order to restrict Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi to her compound has 
been revoked as of today," said a statement dated today.
	   Suu Kyi's husband, Michael Aris, said in Oxford, England, that 
he was still awaiting confirmation of her release, and declined 
further comment. A professor at Oxford, he lives with the couple's 
sons, Alexander and Kim.
	   The news of the release was greeted by dissidents, human rights 
activists and foreign leaders as a sign that the military 
leadership of Burma, which is also known as Myanmar, might be 
moving towards democracy.
	   "If her release enables her to participate freely in a genuine 
process of political reconciliation leading to the installation of 
a democratically elected government, today's development would mark 
a major milestone towards the restoration of peace and stability in 
Burma," said a statement by White House spokesman Mike McCurry.
	   He cautioned, however, that many more dissidents remained jailed 
and there remained "a number of serious and unresolved human rights 
problems in Burma."
	   Amnesty International, in a statement from its London 
headquarters, said Suu Kyi's freedom "marks the beginning of a new 
policy to fundamentally improve Myanmar's human rights record."
	   "We hope that her release heralds an era of national 
reconciliation, freedom and democracy for the people of Myanmar," 
the Indian foreign office said in a statement.
	   The military seized power in Burma in 1988 after killing 
hundreds of people to quell a pro-democracy uprising led by Suu 
Kyi. She was arrested the next year for allegedly inciting unrest.
	   The National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in 
1990 general elections, but the military refused to honour the 
results, and has suppressed virtually all dissent.
	   Suu Kyi had advocated non-violent resistance invoking the name 
of India's Mahatama Gandhi and that of her father, Burmese 
independence leader Aung San. In 1991, she won the Nobel Peace 
Prize.
	   During her detention, she refused offers of freedom in exchange 
for exile and remained steadfastly committed to democracy. She also 
remained the symbol of the pro-democracy movement, referred to in 
reverential whispers as "the Lady."
	   "This news gives more hope for us in fighting for more 
democracy," said So Aung, a spokesman for the All Burma Students' 
Democratic Front, a group of exiles in Thailand. "When she comes 
out, she can do many things for people."
	   The military government seemed likely to reap international 
political benefits from her release, which was already reflected 
today in statements from across the world.
	   The French Foreign Ministry said the release "allows the chance 
to resume dialogue with Burma," and "augurs favourably of the will 
of Burmese authorities to put the country on the road to 
democratisation."
	   Japan, a major investor, called the release "an important 
advance for Myanmar's democratisation and improvement of human 
rights conditions."
	   The Burmese government has said it would yield power to a 
civilian government after the drafting of a new constitution, but 
it has given no timetable.
	   Even so, it has freed hundreds of political prisoners in recent 
years. Many more remain jailed.
	   AP mkg
   
	ASIA HAILS FREED AUNG SAN SUU KYI
BURMA AUNG ASIA (HONG KONG)
   Asian countries have warmly welcomed the release of Burmese 
opposition leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI after nearly six years under 
house arrest.
	   Japanese Foreign Minister YOHEI KONO says the move is a major 
step forward in the democratisation of Burma and in improving its 
record on human rights.
	   The Indonesian foreign ministry has hailed the release of the 
Nobel peace prize laureate as good news which can only improve 
relations between the countries.
	   A Burmese military spokesperson in Rangoon, Colonel KYAW WIN, 
earlier said the ruling military junta had freed the 50-year-old 
pro-democracy campaigner from house arrest.
	   Amnesty International says its pleased with the decision and 
hopes no restrictions are placed on SUU KYI's freedom.
	   AFP RTV mkg/jv
   
	AUSTRAILA WELCOMES RELEASE OF SUU KYI
BURMA AUNG AUST (CANBERRA)
   The Australian government has welcomed reports that Burmese 
dissident leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner AUNG SAN SUU KYI has 
finally been freed from house arrest.
	   While still awaiting official confirmation of Mrs SUU KYI's 
release, Acting Foreign Minister BOB MCMULLAN says he welcomes the 
decision by the Burmese military regime.
	   Australia has repeatedly raised concerns with Burma over human 
rights violations and Mrs SUU KYI's continued house arrest.
	   Women members of federal parliament last November signed a 
letter urging the Burmese government to release Mrs SUU KYI.
	   A motion passed by the Senate condemning the Burmese government 
also noted that Mrs SUU KYI had won a landslide victory as leader 
of the National League for Democracy at the 1990 election, despite 
being unable to campaign, and was the nation's rightful leader.
	   AAP RTV sc/jp
	ASIA: AMNESTY DELIGHTED AT BURMESE DISSIDENT'S RELEASE
BURMA AUNG AMNESTY
   LONDON, July 10 Reuter - Amnesty International said it was 
delighted by the release of Burmese dissident leader Aung Sun Suu 
Kyi and hoped the move heralded greater respect for human rights in 
Burma.
	   "We are extremely delighted, over the moon that after this very 
long time she is finally free," Amnesty spokesman Richard Bunting 
told BBC radio.
	   The London-based human rights group has campaigned on behalf of 
Suu Kyi ever since she was detained in 1989, under an 
anti-subversion law.
	   Bunting said Amnesty was also wary of the release decision.
	   "We are injecting a note of caution ... because we hope that no 
conditions are placed on her freedom and that she is allowed to 
participate fully in her country's political process." 
	   "I think we would also remind people that wide-ranging human 
rights violations are still taking place in the country.
	   "We hope this is more than just a token move by the authorities,