Replies

Myanmar: Annan concerned at removal of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's security staff

16 December 2004 - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced his serious concern over the withdrawal of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's personal security detail, and further restrictions on the already limited access to the Nobel Peace Laureate by her doctor.

Mr. Annan reminds the Myanmar authorities of their responsibility to ensure Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's security and well-being," said a statement issued by a UN spokesman in New York.

The statement also the reiterated the Secretary-General's previous calls on the authorities to honour their expressed commitments to the UN and to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by lifting all the restrictions on Ms. Suu Kyi's movement and activities as soon as possible.

They were also called on to take "the requisite steps to ensure that the process of democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar is fully inclusive."

US 'deeply concerned' about Myanmar opposition leader's welfare

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States expressed deep concern for the welfare of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her National League for Democracy said the military junta has restricted her access to a doctor and cut her personal security.

"The United States is deeply concerned for the welfare of 1991 Nobel Laureate and National League for Democracy General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

"Over the past two days, the Burmese junta has further restricted Aung San Suu Kyi's access to medical care and ordered most of her personal staff to leave the compound," Boucher said, using Myanmar's former name.

"We hold the Burmese junta solely responsible for her health, safety, security and well-being," he added.

The National League for Democracy said the famed pro-democracy leader's access to her doctor has been slashed from three visits a week to one, while her personal NLD security detail has been cut from 13 to six.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 59, has been detained since May last year when a junta-backed mob clashed with her supporters during one of her political trips in northern Myanmar.

The Nobel peace laureate underwent surgery in September last year, which her doctor said was related to gynecological and other unspecified conditions.

About Dapeyin massacre
Excerpt
Her continued detainment could be related to the May 20, 2003, Depeyin Massacre, in which the motorcade of Suu Kyi's entourage was attacked by a military-backed mob. Many of Suu Kyi's followers were killed, injured or detained in that premeditated attack. It was believed to have been ordered by the regime's supreme leader Senior Gen. Than Shwe and Lt. Gen. Soe Win, who is now the country's prime minister.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?eo20041129a1.htm

Excerpt (from US Campaign for Burma)
The SPDC has removed personal security from Aung San Suu Kyi in her compound in Rangoon. This is the same regime that nearly assassinated her last year after beating to death scores of her colleagues.