Arroyo speaks out on Suu Kyi's detention

Arroyo speaks out on Suu Kyi's detention

PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Monday told visiting Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win that she was concerned over the continued detention of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, her spokesman said.

Arroyo hosted a closed-door meeting with Soe Win, who took over as prime minister last year after Khin Nyunt was sacked for alleged corruption.

"The president has consistently expressed concern over the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and she reiterated this today in their meeting," presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye told reporters.

"The fact that she took this up is a signal of our hope that democratic reforms will take place as soon as possible," he said.

Arroyo, however, disagrees with calls for sanctions against military-ruled Myanmar and would like to "find a way to reconcile Myanmar's situation with the demand of the rest of the world," the presidential palace said. --AFP