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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