Burma under pressure to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Karon Snowdon

Last Updated: Sat, 16 May 2009 12:14:00 +1000

President Barack Obama has formally extended US sanctions against Burma, keeping up pressure on the junta to release detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The move had been previewed last month by US officials.

It comes as Indonesia and Malaysia joined other governments in expressing deep concern over new charges against Ms Suu Kyi.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner is facing trial next week on charges of breaching the terms of her house arrest after an American man swam to her house.

Exiled Burmese activists are predicting a backlash inside Burma if Aung San Suu Kyi is convicted.

Outside Burma, South East Asian leaders have joined a chorus of concern.

Condemnation and concern

"The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is the best option not only for Burma's government but for its people," said a spokesman for the Indonesian government said.

"As a government we are not very happy with the detention. We believe due process of law will settle the issues for the benefit of Burma's people.

"As to the recent case, we are getting a comprehensive assessment from our mission in Burma. We have made our position very clear and we question the holding of the trial for Aung San Suu Kyi."

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman has expressed concern over the latest developments in Burma which - like Malaysia and Indonesia - is an ASEAN member country.

Mr Anifah was speaking after talks in Washington with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But the Malaysian Foreign Minister said he doesn't want to see Burma further isolated and that the engagement process will continue.

He said efforts will be made through the ASEAN Forum to pursue further discussions.

"And if it's necessary, upon my arrival in Malaysia, I will immediately contact the secretary general of ASEAN (to see) if it is possible to have a meeting immediately to address the issues that are also of concern to ASEAN members," he said.

Western governments are also condemning the new charges brought against Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi .

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the military which has kept her under house arrest wanted any excuse to extend her detention.

The European Union and the United States have also expressed concern.

Crossing the line

Burma's detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to appear in court to face charges relating to an incident involving an American citizen who broke into her compound last week.

American John William Yettaw was arrested last week after he swam across a lake and reportedly spent two days in Ms Suu Kyi's house.

Her supporters stated that she tried to turn Mr Yettaw away but he was tired and suffering from diabetes.

Yettaw has been charged with immigration and security offences.

Ms Suu Kyi's two maids are also expected to be tried over the incident which Burma's military authorities said was in breach of Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest conditions.

'Substance of charges dismissed'

A spokesman for her National League for Democracy said the three women have been summoned to the court in Rangoon's Insein prison.

One of a team of lawyers representing Aung San Suu Kyi, Jared Genser, has rejected the charges.

"Under the terms of her house arrest she cannot invite people to visit her, but she of course did not invite this person to visit her, so it therefore, is not in violation of the terms of her house arrest.

"If somebody shows up on her doorstep in violation of Burmese law, she cannot be held responsible for it," he said.

The Burmese opposition leader who is said to be recovering from a recent illness has been under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi won national elections in 1990.

Now 63, she remains the most powerful rival to the ruling military ahead of elections due next year, despite questions about the relevance of her party and her continued insistence that sanctions are the way to forge change.

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