Yangon, June 06: A UN special envoy arrived in Myanmar today to demand the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reported to have been injured in a clash that prompted her detention and a crackdown on her party. Razali Ismail began a five-day mission amid mounting pressure from the international community on the Myanmar regime to allow him to meet the Nobel Peace laureate. He was greeted at Yangon airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win and foreign diplomats. Myanmar has not allowed access to Suu Kyi since the May 30 clash, saying only she is unhurt and in custody at "a safe place." Offices of the National League for Democracy Party have been shut and other opposition figures detained.
The US alleges evidence from the site of the clash in the country's north suggested it was an ambush by pro-junta thugs and that many more people may have been killed than the four cited by the Myanmar government. "I'm not an investigator (but) I hope I will be able to get factual details of what took place after talking to all sides," Razali, a Malaysian, said at the airport in Kuala Lumpur before departing for Myanmar. "I am making a strong bid to get (Suu Kyi) released immediately."
Razali, who in late 2000 helped broker reconciliation talks between Suu Kyi and the government, has pressed ahead with his first visit to the military state in seven months, although the junta has not guaranteed he will be able to meet with the NLD leader. Bureau Report