MYANMAR democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been freed after 19 months under house arrest, the junta said on Monday as her party waited for her to make a triumphant return to its downtown headquarters.
“The restrictions were lifted today,” a government representative said. “As of May 6 she is at liberty to carry out all activities including her party
activities.”
At the headquarters of her National League for Democracy (NLD), officials said they expected her to arrive at around noon (0530 GMT).
Diplomats said that other top NLD officials had informed them she would give a press conference to the foreign and local media gathered at the ramshackle
building.
At the headquarters, a large red banner bearing the party’s fighting peacock emblem had been pinned up along a wall and a table set up with two microphones for the planned press conference.
But before facing the dozens of international and local media gathered here, the opposition leader was expected to meet the other members of the NLD’s
decision-making Central Executive Committee.
Meanwhile, barricades blocking access to her famous house on University Drive remained in place and plainclothes military intelligence officials ordered the waiting media to stay well back.
Dozens of municipal workers worked energetically to clear the street of every scrap of rubbish and debris in preparation for her to emerge.
Yangon’s ambassador to the United States announced on Sunday the lifting of the house arrest curbs, put in place in September 2000 when Aung San Suu Kyi attempted to travel to northern Mandalay in defiance of a travel ban.
“All the citizens are free to participate in the political process,” Ambassador Linn Myaing said when asked if Aung San Suu Kyi would be released
without conditions.
The envoy spoke after the Myanmar government issued a statement in Washington promising a “new page” in the history of the nation which has been mired in a 12-year political deadlock between the junta and Aung San
Suu Kyi.
“To celebrate this day of national unity, we have taken — and are taking — a series of steps,” said junta representative Colonel Hla Min.
“We have released nearly 600 detainees in recent months and shall continue to release those who will cause no harm to the community, nor threaten the
existing peace, stability and unity of the nation,” he said.
“As we look forward to a better future we will work toward greater international stability and improving the welfare of our diverse people.”
The statement added that Myanmar would work together with countries “near and far” in the fight against terrorism and the “total eradication of
narcotic drugs which are threatening mankind.”
Western diplomats said the content of the statement and the decision to release it in Washington was a clear olive branch to the nation which has
been one of its most vocal critics.
“Of course this is to please the US, with the mention of the fight against terrorism and drugs,” said one Yangon-based diplomat.
Myanmar observers say Aung San Suu Kyi’s release is likely to be only part of a much broader reconciliation framework negotiated over the past 18
months in talks between the democracy figurehead and the generals.
The talks, brokered by UN envoy Razali Ismail, could be paving the way for democratic reforms in a country that has been ruled by the military in various guises over the past four decades.
Apart from welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi’s liberation, the international community will now be awaiting a statement from her on the content and progress of the secret contacts. – AFP