Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Continuation of the Detention under House Arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar

May 29, 2006

Japan is deeply concerned about the continuation of the detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the Government of Myanmar after the extended term of six months ended on May 27.
Japan deems it regrettable that the Gverment of Myanmar has not yet lifted the detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, although the Government of Myanmar accepted the visit of Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and permitted a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Japan strongly hopes that the Government of Myanmar will activate talks with the international community including those restarted with the United Nations, and that it will expedite the democratization process, including the early release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, and resume dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

(END)