The Hindu : International : ASEAN hopeful of Suu Kyi release

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 23, 2004

International

International

ASEAN hopeful of Suu Kyi release

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has "no information specifically'' about the thinking of the Myanmar Government on the possible release of the celebrated democracy-campaigner, Aung San Suu Kyi, from detention. Myanmar is an ASEAN member. Indicating this, in response to questions from The Hindu, the ASEAN Secretary-General, Ong Keng Yong, indicated in Singapore on Wednesday that there was some ground for `hope' that Ms. Suu Kyi might be set at liberty "in the near future''. Mr. Ong pointed out that the Myanmar Government had "stated that the national reconciliation process should also include the National League for Democracy and Aung San Suu Kyi'', leader of that party. "On that count, we (ASEAN) are hopeful that something will happen which will allow her the ability to participate in this national convention'' being planned by the Myanmar authorities, he said. Mr. Ong did not go into the question whether ASEAN was convinced that the planned national convention was on course.

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