US concern over state of democracy in Burma

by Mungpi

Wednesday, 08 July 2009 22:35

New Delhi (mizzima)– The US State Department has given vent to its concern with the political developments in Burma and has specifically called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, the detained opposition leader currently facing trial. Ian Kelly, the State Department spokesperson on Tuesday told reporters, “I think our concerns with the state of democracy are very well known. We have of course called for the release of the 2,100 political prisoners in Burma.” “We’ve called very specifically for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,” Kelly added. Aung San Suu Kyi is currently standing trial on charges of violating her detention rules. She could be sentenced up to five years, if found guilty.. Kelly also said that the Obama administration is currently into a review of its Burma policy. “We have a new Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr. Kurt Campbell. So I would suppose that we will have more to say when we begin to wrap up this policy review,” he added. The State Department’s message came after the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was not allowed to meet the detained Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi during his two-day visit to the country last weekend. Ban said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ over the junta’s refusal to allow a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, saying Burma has lost a precious opportunity. < Prev   Next >