United Nations, Jun 03: UN secretary general Kofi Annan has urged Myanmar's military government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy leaders from "protective custody" and cooperate with them in bringing about national reconciliation. In a statement yesterday, Annan said he is "increasingly" concerned with the situation in Myanmar following violent incidents in the north of the country this weekend.
"He is especially worried by the continued detention in 'protective custody' of Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior leaders of the National League for Democracy Party (NDL)," chief UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said. Annan maintains that Suu Kyi, both as a national leader and the leader of the NDL, must be allowed to play a role at this crucial juncture in cooperation with the government and others to bring about national reconciliation in Myanmar, Eckhard said.
"The present situation in Myanmar is not merely a question of law and order, but rather one that derives from the political aspirations of the Myanmar people who are overwhelmingly in favour of change," he said. All parties should act responsibly to ensure that the national reconciliation process is not undermined further, Eckhard said.
The spokesman said the UN chief has instructed his special envoy, Razali Ismail, in his capacity as "facilitator" to talk to the government of Myanmar, Suu Kyi and other leaders during his visit beginning June 6 in an effort to start the process of national reconciliation. Bureau Report