Aung San Suu Kyi continues to refuse food supplies

by Zarni

Friday, 29 August 2008 20:51

Chiang Mai - Burma's detained opposition leader and democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi continues to refuse food deliveries, even after nearly two weeks of receiving her last supply on August 15, her party leaders said. "As far as we know, she has not yet accepted any food supplies," Nyan Win, spokesperson of her party – the National League for Democracy – told Mizzima on Friday. However, it is still not clear why she is refusing food supplies. "Everything is still unclear, and we are still trying to get confirmation about her situation and why she is refusing supplies," Nyan Win added. But meanwhile, the government has refuted the information that Suu Kyi is refusing to accept food supplies saying it is rumour. Besides, the military junta also said Suu Kyi has not submitted any demands. But news that Suu Kyi is fasting is spreading and causing great concern both at domestic and international levels. Aye Thar Aung, an ethnic political leader and secretary of the Committee Representing the Peoples Parliament, formed with elected members of parliament in Burma's 1990 election, said, "It is hard to speculate as even her party members are not able to communicate with her. But I think it could be that she is demanding her rights." Similarly, Nyo Ohn Myint, foreign affairs in-charge of the NLD in exile said, "I think her main demand will be about politics but it could also include a meeting with her lawyer." The US Department of State on Thursday said it is concerned over the information that she is refusing to take food deliveries. Robert Wood, Deputy Spokesman of the Department of State, told reporters in Washington, "We're obviously concerned. We've seen reports that she is not taking food deliveries." But Wood said he was unable to confirm the information as Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest. "But it's very hard for us to be able to confirm the information, but obviously her situation is an ongoing concern to us," Wood added. Meanwhile, a political activist in Rangoon said Suu Kyi has demanded that the government allow a meeting with her lawyer and her family doctor. Earlier this month, she was allowed to meet her lawyer twice and her family doctor once. "It is true that she is demanding another meeting with her lawyer, though we are not sure whether she will be allowed it," Nyan Win said. < Prev   Next >