Myanmar junta welcomes Annan's remarks
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's junta on Thursday welcomed a call by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but offered no timetable for her freedom.
"With the view to due process, the Government of Myanmar welcomes any constructive remarks and suggestions and shall take them into consideration as we move forward in reaching our common goals,'' it said.
The junta said it respects Annan's views and opinion.
The official statement came after Annan on Tuesday urged Myanmar's military government to immediately free Suu Kyi and open "a substantive dialogue'' with opposition parties and ethnic minorities to demonstrate its commitment to introduce democracy.
Suu Kyi and party vice chairman Tin Oo, currently under house arrest, have been detained since May 2003, following a violent clash between the opposition leader's followers and government supporters in northern Myanmar.
The government subsequently cracked down on Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party and closed down its offices across the country.
The party's headquarters were allowed to reopen in April.
Suu Kyi's party launched a nationwide signature-collecting campaign last month to petition for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi and other political detainees.
Courts in Myanmar's two largest cities - the capital of Yangon and the northern city of Mandalay - recently refused to accept legal documents submitted by the party demanding the release of Suu Kyi and Tin Oo and the reopening of party offices.
Party spokesman U Lwin said Annan's statement was "very encouraging and a moral boost to the people'' of Myanmar.
"I strongly hope that Mr. Annan will be able to implement his work.'' - AP
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