U.N. Envoy Says Suu Kyi Was Not Injured
YANGON (Reuters) - U.N. envoy to Myanmar Razali Ismail met detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday and said she was "in good spirits" and had not been injured.
He met her for an hour at the junta's headquarters.
International concern had intensified over the health and whereabouts of the Nobel peace prize winner since a clash between her supporters and those of the junta on May 30 as she was touring a provincial town in the north. She has been in detention since then.
French troops defend a group of foreigners awaiting evacuation in Monrovia, Liberia, Monday June 9 2003. The evacuations came as President Charles Taylor's soldiers reported more fighting with rebel forces bearing down on the western edge of the city, and explosions sounded in the distance.
He said the evacuation of Americans who were not officials as well as nationals of other countries from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia and the European Union mission was going smoothly.
They were flown by helicopter to a waiting French vessel bound for the Ivory Coast. Reeker thanked France for its role in facilitating the evacuation.
"We are committed to the full protection of our citizens and expect the government of Liberia and the rebels to honor their international obligations to do the same," he said.
The evacuation followed reports of more fighting from President Charles Taylor's soldiers, with rebel forces bearing down on the western edge of the capital.
About 100 Americans, who had gathered overnight at the embassy compound, were ferried out of Liberia.
U.S. Ambassador John Blaney and a coterie of Marine guards, U.S. special forces and security contractors planned to remain behind at the American embassy, U.S. authorities in Monrovia said.
Reeker said the embassy remained open and continued to provide emergency services to American citizens. The spokesman renewed a warning against travel to Liberia.
He said rebels identified with the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy had engaged government forces on Bushroad Island, northwest of the capital. "They must quickly adhere to their cease-fire pledge and strictly avoid any violence toward civilians," Reeker said.
The spokesman said the United States remained committed to reconciliation and cease-fire talks. "We call on all combatants to cease their campaigns of violence, to spare the lives and property of innocent civilians," Reeker said.