Myanmar opposition demands Aung San Suu Kyi’s release

YANGON – Myanmar’s military government must release opposition party leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, before the party can consider joining a convention drafting a new constitution, an opposition spokesman said yesterday.

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Win Aung said the junta plans to invite Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy to participate in the National Convention, which is to convene for the first time in eight years on May 17. However, Win Aung refused to say whether Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders would be released before the convention.Before the invitation can be considered, “we reiterate our call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the others to discuss the issue,” party spokesman Nyunt Wei told The Associated Press.”The NLD will be able to give its position regarding the political movement that is taking place now only after the whole executive committee of nine has been able to meet,” Nyunt Wei said.Party leaders still under house arrest include Suu Kyi, party chairman Aung Shwe, vice chairman Tin Oo and secretary U Lwin.The four were among scores of NLD members arrested last May following a violent clash between a pro-junta mob and Suu Kyi’s supporters in northern Myanmar.Myanmar’s ruling junta, which has received widespread international criticism for its actions, announced last year a seven-point roadmap to establish democracy.The National Convention is the first step in that plan.The participation of Suu Kyi’s party is considered critical to the success of the convention, last convened in 1993 and suspended in 1996 after the NLD walked out, saying it was being forced to rubber-stamp the junta’s decisions.- Nampa-APHowever, Win Aung refused to say whether Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders would be released before the convention.Before the invitation can be considered, “we reiterate our call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the others to discuss the issue,” party spokesman Nyunt Wei told The Associated Press.”The NLD will be able to give its position regarding the political movement that is taking place now only after the whole executive committee of nine has been able to meet,” Nyunt Wei said.Party leaders still under house arrest include Suu Kyi, party chairman Aung Shwe, vice chairman Tin Oo and secretary U Lwin.The four were among scores of NLD members arrested last May following a violent clash between a pro-junta mob and Suu Kyi’s supporters in northern Myanmar.Myanmar’s ruling junta, which has received widespread international criticism for its actions, announced last year a seven-point roadmap to establish democracy.The National Convention is the first step in that plan.The participation of Suu Kyi’s party is considered critical to the success of the convention, last convened in 1993 and suspended in 1996 after the NLD walked out, saying it was being forced to rubber-stamp the junta’s decisions.- Nampa-AP