The Hindu : A new beginning, says junta

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

International

International

A new beginning, says junta

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE May 6. Myanmar's military junta which "unconditionally'' released the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, on Monday said in a written statement that the day (there was no direct reference to Ms. Suu Kyi) would mark a "new page for the people of Myanmar and the international community''. ``We shall recommit ourselves to allowing all of our citizens to participate freely in the life of our political process, while giving priority to national unity, peace and stability of the country as well as the region''.

About Ms. Suu Kyi's travel rights, a spokesman for the armed forces said: "She can travel. We will sort of cooperate because she is a prominent person. The Government is responsible for her security.''

Speaking to this correspondent, Mr. Aung Zaw, editor of the Bangkok-based magazine Irrawady said it was "too early'' to draw conclusions from Ms. Suu Kyi's release. Whether or not her release would speed up the pace of political reform remained to be seen, he said by telephone from Bangkok. "She says the release is unconditional, but we will have to wait and see,'' Mr. Aung Zaw said, adding that one had to be "very cautious'' about interpreting today's development.

For her part, Ms. Suu Kyi appeared more than conscious of the need to be realistic about her release. "Most of the changes over the past 18 months have benefited the NLD, but it is not for the NLD but for the people of Burma that we are struggling for freedom,'' she told reporters. ``We have been disappointed at the slow pace of the release of political prisoners. The releases are important, not only in humanitarian terms but political terms as well,'' she said.

Responding to the release, the U.N. special envoy, Mr. Razali Ismail, said: "I am very appreciative of what the (Myanmar) Government has done. I am delighted for her and delighted for the country.'' ``This is a very big milestone, and I hope the next step is that the Government and Aung San Suu Kyi sit together to decide how to pursue this goal (of national reconciliation)''.

The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, who has a personal rapport with the Myanmar military leadership, was among those who welcomed the release. ``Both sides (the military and Ms. Suu Kyi) should be commended. I don't think anything can be achieved overnight,'' he said, pointing to the tortuous course of negotiations that lie ahead. The military, clearly, is not about to hand over power to the NLD on a platter. The next few weeks and months could be crucial for Myanmar and Ms. Suu Kyi.

AP reports:

Britain welcomed her release as ``an important moment for the Burmese people.'' ``Her freedom is long overdue,'' the Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, said in a statement. ``We hope that she will now be allowed to carry out her responsibilities as general secretary of the National League for Democracy freely and openly. I hope it will signal the start of substantive negotiations with the state Peace and Development Council and a brighter future for all the people of Burma,'' he added.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said: ``I think there are signs of progress in Burma (Myanmar), of increasing moderation and compromise.'' In Singapore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ``Singapore welcomes Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest as a positive step forward in the national reconciliation process.''The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda, said, ``I am happy, and hopefully this step can encourage the process of reconciliation between the various groups there.'' The Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo, said the release was part of the continuing engagement of Myanmar in democratic politics

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