Burma’s Suu Kyi Freed to Avoid ‘Disappointing’ Ban Ki-moon

Burma’s Suu Kyi Freed to Avoid ‘Disappointing’ Ban Ki-moon

Breaking news

From our correspondent in Rangoon

27th February 2010

Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was dramatically released from house arrest today, just one day after losing a court appeal against her detention.

The surprise decision was announced on the Saturday evening television news on MRTV, which has been used in the past for the release of important statements, including the holding of a referendum on a new constitution. MRTV reported that the decision had been made by Senior General Than Shwe, following UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on Friday that he was ‘disappointed’ that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal had been rejected.

“Myanmar respects the United Nations, which has always been a good friend to us, and we have taken this step as a gesture of goodwill, as the Secretary General’s statement of disappointment has clearly shown how seriously the UN takes this issue,” MTRV quoted Than Shwe as saying.

Some Burma analysts put the release down to a dramatic change in strategy from the Secretary General, who recently switched from a 20 year old UN policy of issuing statements of ‘concern’ to one issuing statements expressing ‘disappointment’.

Campaigners said they were delighted with the release, and conceded that their analysis that the generals would only start to make concessions if strong pressure was applied, such as the Security Council passing a binding resolution, imposing an arms embargo and establishing a commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as countries imposing targeted economic pressure, had been wrong. “There was a magic bullet after all,” said one leading campaigner speaking off the record.

European Commission officials immediately called on the EU to lift all sanctions against Burma, and start channelling aid directly through Than Shwe’s personal bank account. “Now that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released all the problems of Burma are over, and it’s time to move on,” said Commission official Andreas Waldner.