United Nations: Myanmar`s looming election
will not be credible unless the military rulers release Nobel
prize-winning opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a UN
ministerial group has said.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon said after the meeting, which
included ministers from neighbours China and India as well as
Britain and the United States, said the group had "clearly
reiterated the need for the election process to more inclusive
participatory and transparent.
"Members called for steps to be taken for the release of
political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. This is
essential for the election to be seen as credible and to
contribute to Myanmar`s stability and development," Ban told
reporters after the meeting of the so-called Friends On
Myanmar.
No government representative from Myanmar was at the
meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Myanmar has banned Aung San Suu Kyi`s National League for
Democracy and nine other opposition parties from taking part
in the country`s first election in two decades. The opposition
has said the vote will be a sham.
The junta has said however that the detained opposition
leader will be able to vote.
A UN spokesman confirmed that Ban Ki-moon held a meeting
with Myanmar`s foreign minister, U Nyan Win, at UN
headquarters on Sunday to discuss the election. No details
were given however.
PTI
