Aung San Suu Kyi refuses food: Party sources

by Mungpi

Monday, 25 August 2008 20:50

New Delhi - Burma's detained Opposition leader and democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has reportedly been refusing food supplies since last week, Opposition sources said. Exiled opposition party, the National League for Democracy – Liberated Area, said the detained party leader was last sent food supplies on August 15, and since then she has been refusing to accept any more food supplies. Nyo Ohn Myint, Foreign Affairs in-charge of NLD-LA, said Aung San Suu Kyi, since her last detention in May 2003, has been sent food supplies on a weekly basis by her party youths. "She was sent the last food supply on August 15, and she reportedly told the youths not to bring her food in the following weeks," Nyo Ohn Myint said. According to him, Aung San Suu Kyi's food supply was due on August 22, but on her request the youths have not sent her any more supplies. "We are not sure why she reused the food supplies," said Nyo Ohn Myint, adding that in his personal view, the Nobel Peace Laureate might be beginning a hunger strike. "In my personal view, I think she is on a hunger strike demanding direct talks with the government on matters relating to the ensuing general elections in 2010," he added. However, Nyo Ohn Myint's version was not supported by NLD leaders in Rangoon. Nyan Win, the official spokesperson of the NLD, told Mizzima that he is unaware of any such information regarding Aung San Suu Kyi. "I think it is not possible for her to start a hunger strike," said Nyan Win, but added that he was not aware and could not confirm this as he and other NLD leaders have no communication with their detained leader. Earlier last week, rumours spread in the Burmese political community in Rangoon as well as in exile that Aung San Suu Kyi has begun a hunger strike. But the information could not be independently verified. Aung San Suu Kyi, last week, declined to meet visiting UN special envoy Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, who also failed to meet Burma's military junta supremo Snr. Gen. than Shwe, during his six-day visit to the country that ended on Saturday. < Prev   Next >