Yangon, June 18: The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said today the Myanmar Junta had refused to allow it to see detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi but had agreed to visits with all other opposition members rounded up after violent clashes last month. ICRC delegation head in Myanmar, Michel Ducraux, said after a meeting with Home Affairs Minister Tin Hlaing that he was optimistic the organisation would be allowed to see Aung San Suu Kyi at a later date.

"For the time being the access is denied," he told media persons. "We are hopeful and we continue to ask for immediate access to her." Aung San Suu Kyi was put under "protective custody" after the may 30 clashes which broke out on a political tour of northern Myanmar.

Dissident groups say dozens were killed when National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters were attacked by hundreds of members of a pro-Junta gang. The government insists only four were killed. The violence sparked a crackdown against the NLD which saw its leadership placed under house arrest in Yangon and its vice-chairman Tin Oo, who had been travelling with Aung San Suu Kyi, put in jail in northern Sagaing division.

An unknown number of the party's supporters were also rounded up for questioning after the incident.

"I will see Tin Oo and all the other NLD persons," said Ducraux, adding that the meetings were due to begin in the next few days.

"We have been given access to all the persons who were arrested and are detained in connection with the clash that occurred on May 30 -- with one exception." Bureau Report