Philippine leader calls for Suu Kyi's release next month

Apr 17, 2009, 6:10 GMT

   Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has urged Myanmar's ruling junta to free opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi next month to boost reconciliation efforts, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.

   Arroyo made the appeal during a meeting with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein on the sidelines of the 14th Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Pattaya, Thailand, on April 10, the department said in a statement.

   During the meeting, Arroyo told Thein Sein that releasing Suu Kyi in May, when the extension of her house arrest expires, would also result in 'tremendous goodwill for Myanmar from the international community.'

   She urged Myanmar's military junta to consider following her 'course of action' in dealing with opposition groups, which has strengthened democracy instead of impairing it.

   'I have reached out to them in the spirit of reconciliation and national unity, which has enabled our society and political system to move forward without giving undue importance to their political mystique,' she said.

   According to the department statement, Thein Sein 'expressed appreciation for (President Arroyo's) valuable suggestions and said that his government would take them into account.'

   The prime minister also reiterated his government's firm commitment to the seven steps towards democratization and reconciliation in Myanmar.

   'The adoption of the new constitution is the critical first step in fulfilling the government's version for democracy in Myanmar,' he told Arroyo. 'We are now preparing for the general elections in 2010.'

   The constitution, which was drafted under the junta's influence and without any input from democracy groups, was approved by a national referendum last May. The opposition, however, has alleged that the vote was unfair.