Burma's military rulers urged to release Suu Kyi

THE EU/ BURMA: Burma's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) urged the military rulers yesterday to release democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and three other leaders before inviting it to join renewed talks on a new constitution.

The call followed remarks by Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung, who said the NLD would be invited to join a constitutional conference on May 17th.

There was some confusion last night as to whether Suu Kyi would be released from house arrest after Wim Aung said earlier she would be released and then appeared to backtrack.

He said his government was focused on preparing for the conference on a new constitution.

"That is the most important thing and the problem of Aung San Suu Kyi will be taken care of and we don't have any animosity or (intend) any vengeful acts against anyone," he said after meeting with his Thai counterpart in Bangkok.

Earlier, when asked if she would be freed before May 17th, the start of the conference, Win Aung said: "Yes." But he added it was too early to give a precise date.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, had welcomed initial reports that Ms Suu Kyi would be released from house arrest shortly.

Speaking in his capacity as President of the EU Council of Ministers, Mr Cowen described the initial announcement by the foreign minister that Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the NLD, was to be released as an "important first step" towards the return of democracy in the country.

Mr Cowen called for Ms Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD who remain in custody to be freed immediately. Burma's military regime announced last week that the jailed Nobel prizewinner and Freewoman of the City of Dublin would be released by May 17th.

"The EU wants to see the return of democracy to Burma, an end to all human rights violations and the realisation of peace and prosperity for the people of Burma. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi and an inclusive National Convention would constitute an important first step towards that goal," Mr Cowen said.

In February, the Government was criticised by human rights groups after it decided to recognise the military regime in Rangoon. Mr Cowen defended the decision, saying it would contribute more directly to promoting the process of democratisation and national reconciliation in Burma.

Since the Irish Government's decision, it has started referring to the country in official communiqués as "Myanmar" or "Myanmar/Burma" rather than Burma. The military authorities in Burma have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state since 1989, but this decision was not approved by any sitting legislature. The NLD won 82 per cent of votes cast in election in 1990, but the military refused to recognise the result.  Additional reporting Reuters