BBC World News:

US urges Burmese to free Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest for the third time
The US has urged the Burmese government to release the opposition leader, Aung Sang Suu Kyi, from house arrest "immediately and unconditionally".

A spokesman for President Bush said if the generals in Rangoon did not let her go, they would be backtracking on commitments to move towards democracy.

He added they could not indefinitely suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Burmese people.

It emerged earlier this week Aung Sang Suu Kyi's detention had been extended.

A spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy said on Monday she had been told her house arrest would continue at least until next September.

Junta's moves in doubt
Profile of Aung San Suu Kyi
"If true, this represents a return to a pattern of unacceptable backtracking on commitments the regime itself has made to move toward democracy and national reconciliation," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

"The generals in Rangoon must come to understand that they cannot indefinitely suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Burmese people and resist the worldwide march to freedom and democracy," he added.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been held since May 2003 after clashes between her supporters and pro-government forces in northern Burma.

The reported extension comes after Burma's ruling junta pledged to release 9,000 prisoners and appointed a new Prime Minister, Soe Win.

Her party won a landslide victory in 1990 but has never been allowed to govern by the military, which has run the nation since 1962.

Profile: AUNG SAN SUU KYI
1990: National League for Democracy (NLD) wins general election while Suu Kyi under house arrest; military does not recognise the result
1991: Wins Nobel Peace Prize
1995: Released from house arrest, but movements restricted
2000-02: Second period of house arrest
May 2003: Detained after clash between NLD and government forces
Sep 2003 Allowed home after operation, but under effective house arrest

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A military junta has dictated the nation since the 1960s. Democracy is struggling as a result. The real losers, however, have been the people of Burma.

More information on Burma:

BBC World News:
Burma Overview
The military government has been accused of gross human rights abuses, including the forcible relocation of civilians and the widespread use of forced labour, which includes children.

Military-run enterprises control key industries, and corruption and severe mismanagement are the hallmarks of a black-market-riven economy.

The armed forces - and former rebels co-opted by the government - have been accused of large-scale trafficking in heroin, of which Burma is a major exporter. Prostitution and Aids are major problems.

The largest group is the Burman people, who are ethnically related to the Tibetans and the Chinese. Burman dominance over Karen, Shan, Rakhine, Mon, Chin, Kachin and other minorities has been the source of considerable ethnic tension, fuelling intermittent separatist rebellions.

Burma is the world's largest exporter of teak and is a principal source of jade, pearls, rubies and sapphires. It is endowed with extremely fertile soil and has important offshore oil and gas deposits. However, its people remain very poor and are getting poorer.

Ah, Burma.

Making Colombia seem like a PRETTY nice place now, aren't they?

--PunkDavid

Yes and it is a subject that is rarely brought up. Things are certainly tough all over.

I'm sorry I was so flip. Burma is just so awful that it is hard to do much but shake your head and pray for rain. The stories out of there are so shocking that it shocks someone as numbed to this stuff as me.

I sometimes don't understand how the people who run regimes like that find their way to the top. AK-47's certainly make it easier no doubt.

--PunkDavid

You weren't flip PD!

And you were right too.

Ive been to Burma/Myanmar several times and it is a country backwards 10 years or more.

Mobile phones have VERY limited connection over there ( because the junta wont allow foreign coms companies to venture in in fear of propoganda..that and sanctions)
internet connectivity is intermittent, with some sites blocked. Propaganda is everywhere, on the billboards, on the streets, in hotels ( even in the room i was staying in there was several government leaflets!), prostitution is rampant in clubs, with girls serving the expat community here ( unfortunately, all these expats are mostly from the oil and gas companies, a field which i am in) because the girls have no work...its sad...because the people are nice and gentle and they seem helpless to do anything to topple the junta.

There are so much beautiful parts in Myanmar which are still unexplored ( ive been to some of them due to my work) and its a shame not many tourist are coming because by doing so, the money goes to the junta...

Sometimes I think, if there's one regime that deserves an international pre-emptive strike, it would be this one in Burma.

So sad.

I agree, and I think it would be an excellent way for the US to gain some respect and admiration in the world. As we have set a precedent for spreading freedom and democracy, what better way to show that than to oust the Burmese military junta?

UPDATE


Burmese junta frees 5,070 inmates
Nyunt is being blamed for the arrests
Burma's ruling junta has announced it is releasing 5,070 prisoners who were arrested "inappropriately".

A televised message said the inmates had been arrested by the now disbanded National Intelligence Bureau led by ousted Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.

It is not clear if any of those freed were political prisoners.

The latest move brings to 14,318 the total number of prisoners ordered released by the ruling military following an amnesty on 18 November.

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest and there are no signs she will be released any time soon.

Khin Nyunt, who is under house arrest, was ousted on 19 October by Than Shwe, head of the junta, in what was seen as a consolidation of his power.

Within days, the intelligence bureau, which gave officers loyal to Khin Nyunt widespread powers and benefits, was abolished.

Amnesty International estimates that there were 1,350 political detainees in 2004, many associated with Aung Sang Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy.

The junta has never admitted to holding political prisoners.

What does Burma have to offer as far as our National Interests? If nothing, then nothing will be done, sadly.

I agree as well that this would be a place to start, if our real goal was to "liberate" people.

It may have something to do with a possible connection between China and the current Burmese dictatorship. If there is a link there, then perhaps that is the primary reason the US is not that concerned about it (so as to not disgruntle China).

That being said, this type of thing has not stopped the US in the past, and it would most certainly be a noble cause.