International

Suu Kyi release on the cards?

By Amit Baruah

The Myanmarese pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, sits at the window of her residence in Yangon, Myanmar, in this file photo. AP

SINGAPORE April 30. There are reports that a "major announcement" expected from the ruling Myanmar junta could include the release of the detained pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The U.N. special envoy, Razali Ismail, today confirmed in Kuala Lumpur that a major development was expected in Myanmar politics.

"That (Ms. Suu Kyi's release) is on the menu. Be patient. I think that something big will happen," Mr. Razali, who was in Yangon last week, told reporters.

A Reuters report from Yangon today quoted a "source close to the ruling junta" as saying: "It will be more than the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and some other political prisoners.

It will be a breakthrough in Myanmar politics." At the weekend, the Myanmar Labour Minister, Tin Win, said the Government would make a major announcement in a few days.

Talks have been held in secret between the military Government and Ms. Suu Kyi since September 2000. But little has emerged about the talks which many believe are in the confidence-building phase. Ms. Suu Kyi's release will go a long way in convincing the world that the junta is serious about restoring democracy in Myanmar.

There has been speculation that in return for her release, the junta will expect some humanitarian aid from the West.

Mr. Ismail, the Malaysian diplomat chosen as U.N. special envoy, met the junta leader, Than Shwe, in Yangon, in what is believed to be the first meeting of the kind in Yangon.

While hopes have been raised of a move forward in Myanmar, similar speculation in the past has remained just that.

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