More leaders hail release of Suu Kyi

More leaders hail release of Suu Kyi

WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States, United Nations and
Southeast Asian countries welcomed the release of Myanmarese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and saw the move was a step
toward democracy by the military junta.

President Bill Clinton "welcomes the announcement earlier
yesterday by the Myanmarese authorities that Aung San Suu Kyi has
been unconditionally released after almost six years of house
arrest," said a White House statement.

His remark was echoed by governments around the world. United
Nation Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali also praised the
move.

U.S. State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said Washington
hoped the release signals the Myanmarese government's commitment
to free all political prisoners and engage in a genuine political
dialogue with all political forces in Myanmar.

Boutros-Ghali said he hoped the move "will be followed by
others towards the establishment of a multi-party system in
Myanmar."

Despite her six years under house arrest, Suu Kyi, a Nobel
Peace Prize laureate, remained the focal point for opponents of
the ruling junta, officially known as the State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC).

Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans said the release was
"marvelous news from the point of view of human rights, the point
of view of Suu Kyi herself and from the point of view of the
whole future of Myanmar."

In Thailand, the release was welcomed "wholeheartedly," with
the foreign ministry saying credit should go to Myanmar's
neighbors in the ASEAN for their policy of not isolating the
Yangon regime.

"I think the effort of ASEAN collectively through constructive
engagement has drawn positive results, and we have learned the
news with great relief," Deputy Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan
told AFP.

Elsewhere, the British, French and German governments welcomed
Suu Kyi's freedom.

"The release corresponds directly to concerted demands over
several years by the European Union," said German Foreign
Minister Klaus Kinkel. "We hope other political prisoners will
also be released."

Philippine President Fidel Ramos urged the world community
yesterday to foster better relations with Myanmar following the
release of Suu Kyi.

Ramos said in a statement the Philippines welcomed Suu Kyi's
release from house arrest "as an important step in the process of
national reconciliation".

Amnesty International yesterday urged Australian Foreign
Minister Gareth Evans to use this month's ASEAN meeting to
pressure Myanmar to improve human rights after the release of
Suu Kyi's release.

Amnesty spokesman David Begg said after six years of world-
wide campaigning Amnesty was pleased she had been freed from
house arrest and that Canberra had "earned significant
credibility" through its initiatives.

The Malaysian government yesterday welcomed the release of
Myanmarese opposition leader. "Certainly the release is a very
positive sign and we hope this will lead to more positive polices
in Myanmar," Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told
reporters.

Singapore yesterday welcomed Suu Kyi's release and predicted
ASEAN's diplomatic policy towards the military junta in YAngon
would encourage it to push ahead with liberalization.

"Singapore continues to believe that ASEAN's policy of
constructive engagement with Myanmar will help encourage SLORC to
continue to open its economy and society and progress like the
other countries of Southeast Asia," a Singapore foreign ministry
spokesman said.

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