M A I N   N E W S

Suu Kyi freed, firm on fight

Yangon, May 6
Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was freed today from 19 months of house arrest in Myanmar and told hundreds of rapturous supporters that she would carry on her fight to bring democracy to the military ruled country.

Calm and composed, her hair tied back with flowers, Suu Kyi arrived at the ramshackle Yangon headquarters of her National League for Democracy (NLD) to cheers and roars of “Long live Aung San Suu Kyi” from a large crowd that had massed to greet her in the most overt display of political activism in years.

The 56-year-old Suu Kyi told a news conference that although her party had not changed its stance on opposing foreign investment, aid and tourism while the military government remained in place, the junta had placed no restrictions on her.

Analysts say that the dismal state of the economy is the main factor pushing the junta towards political change, but the government insisted the move was sincere.

Razali Ismail, United Nations special envoy to Myanmar who has been negotiating Suu Kyi’s release, welcomed the development and said elections could be held within 2-3 years.

In a statement, the military said it had begun “a new page for the people of Myanmar and the international community”. Reuters

Release is a concrete step, says India

New Delhi, May 6
India today welcomed the lifting of restrictions on Myanmar’s democracy leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, terming it as a “concrete step” by the Myanmar Government towards lasting peace and tranquility in that country.

“India has consistently advocated reconciliation and moves towards restoration of democracy. That is why we regard this as a concrete step reflective of the desire of the Government of Myanmar to strengthen efforts to realise lasting peace and tranquility in the country,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nirupama Rao told reporters.

India would continue its policy of engagement and cooperation with Myanmar, she said. PTI