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| Aung
San Suu Kyi and eighteen members of her entourage were detained,
while the entire leadership of the National League for Democracy
was under house arrest in the capital Yangon, formerly known
as Rangoon [AFP] |
International condemnation poured from around the world after the
arrest by the Myanmar military junta of opposition leader
and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
Britain summoned the Myanmar ambassador to make a protest while
the United States, United Nations and European Union all joined
condemnation over the detention of the pro-democracy leader.
President George W. Bush, speaking in Egypt, said he was "deeply
concerned" at events in Myanmar while UN Secretary General
Kofi Annan called for Aung San Suu Kyi's immediate release after
she was taken into "protective custody" at the weekend
following protests by democracy activists.
Late Monday, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
and the Special Rapporteur for Myanmar issued a joint statement
to "urge the (Myanmar) Government to renew its commitment to
political reform and human rights."
A token of this commitment would begin "with the immediate
and unconditional release of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and other political
prisoners," said the High Commissioner's Office, and Myanmar's
Special Rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro.
Aung San Suu Kyi was placed in "protective custody" at
the weekend after clashes between her supporters and a pro-junta
mob during a political tour of northern Myanmar Friday left four
dead and 50 injured, the military said.
Some 18 members of her entourage were also detained, while the entire
leadership of her opposition National League of Democracy (NLD)
was under house arrest in the capital Yangon.
New York-based Human Rights Watch said Myanmar "should immediately
release" the opposition leader and her associates.
Late Monday, the group said the Myanmar government-created Union
Solidarity Development Association (USDA) whose members were involved
in the clashes with the NLD "has increasingly taken on a paramilitary
character."
Earlier in the day, Myanmar's ambassador in London, Kyaw Win, was
ordered to the Foreign Office to hear a protest from Junior Foreign
Office Minister Bill Rammell. Australia also summoned Myanmar's
envoy to Canberra.
"Reports from Burma that Aung San Suu Kyi may have been injured
during the attacks cause us particular anxiety, and I have sought
assurances from the Burmese government that they will protect (her)
welfare and safety," Rammell said in a statement.
President Bush in a statement said: "I am deeply concerned
by reports from Burma of the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and members
of her political party, as well as reports that military authorities
have closed her party headquarters in Rangoon."
The statement, using Myanmar's former name, was issued from Egypt,
where Bush is to attend two Middle East peace summits. US Secretary
of State Colin Powell also condemned the detention.
Myanmar also shut down her party's offices nationwide plus all
the country's universities.
A spokesman for the UN's Annan said: "At this crucial juncture,
(Annan) maintains that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as both a national
leader and the leader of the NLD, must be allowed to play a role,
in co-operation with the government and others, in taking steps
to bring about national reconciliation in Myanmar."
Annan instructed his Special Envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, to
talk to the Myanmar government, the spokesman said. Ismail is also
to talk to Aung San Suu Kyi, and other national leaders during a
visit from June 6-10.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sergio Viera de Mello
also demanded the release of the NLD leader.
The European Union's top foreign policy representative, Javier
Solana, said Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest would reinforce EU resolve
to continue sanctions against the military regime.
France expressed concern over "the fate" of Aung San
Suu Kyi after her arrest, while Germany's foreign ministry called
on the Myanmar government to release those in detention "swiftly".
"Furthermore, we expect the leadership in Myanmar to take
all steps to allow the opposition to resume its work," a spokesman
added.
Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham urgend the Myanmar junta
"to begin substantive discussions on national reconciliation
and democracy with Aung San Suu Kyi."
In Thailand, which borders Myanmar, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
said the government was monitoring the incident closely. "I
think the whole world is concerned and the Myanmar government understands
that," he said.
The government of Japan, the biggest aid donor to Myanmar, said
it was watching events with concern.
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Updated: 2003-06-03 01:00