EBO BURMA NEWS 17 JULY 2003

UN chief calls for release of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (AFP) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on

Wednesday called on Myanmar's military rulers to release pro-democracy leader

Aung San Suu Kyi.

The UN chief said he sent the message to General Than Shwe through the

deputy foreign minister U Khin Maung Win, whom he met on Wednesday.

"I have given him a message for General Than Shwe, basically telling him I

would expect them to release Aung San Suu Kyi as soon as possible and that

they are responsible for the protection and safety of Aung San Suu Kyi and

members of her party," Annan told reporters.

Speaking after a Security Council meeting, Annan said that Aung San Suu Kyi

has indicated that she is prepared to hold talks with the ruling junta.

"She has indicated she is prepared to resume dialogue and, she said this to

my envoy, so I hope the government would accept the challenge and proceed with

dialogue," he said.

Myanmar was not on the agenda for the council meeting, but US ambassador to

the United Nations John Negroponte said that this issue was discussed.

"We expressed our concern on the situation in Burma," he said.

****** 

Euro-Burma Office

Square Gutenberg 11/2

1000 Brussels

Belgium

tel: 32 2 280 0691/280 2452

fax: 32 2 280 0310

e-mail: [email protected]