">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Myanmar dangles amnesty, UN demands prisoner release
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Myanmar dangles amnesty, UN demands prisoner release
AFP - Tuesday, July 14
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) - - Myanmar has offered an amnesty for some political prisoners after UN chief Ban Ki-moon demanded the release of key political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to ensure "credible and legitimate" polls next year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Myanmar's UN ambassador Than Swe said his government was preparing an amnesty for political prisoners on humanitarian grounds so they can contest next year's general elections.
"At the request of the (UN) Secretary General, the Myanmar government is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections," he told the Security Council. He gave no further details.
Ban welcomed the statement, telling reporters: "This is encouraging but I have to continue to follow up how they will implement all the issues raised during my visit to Myanmar."
He said that he was "not quite sure who will be included in the amnesty," but added, "I have made it quite clear that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released and free to participate in the elections."
Earlier Ban briefed the 15-member UN Security Council on his visit to military-ruled Myanmar early this month.
"The (Myanmar) government needs to deliver on the promise to make the 2010 elections inclusive, free and fair and to take the necessary steps on my specific proposals in the very near future," the UN boss said.
He made it clear that for the poll to be viewed as fair, political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other detained members of her National League for Democracy (NLD), must be released and allowed to campaign freely.
"The choice for Myanmar's leaders in the coming days and weeks will be between meeting that responsibility in the interest of all concerned, or failing their own people and each one of you," he said.
"The world is now watching closely whether they will choose to act in the best interest of their country or ignore our concerns and expectations and the needs of their people."
In a conciliatory rejoinder, envoy Than Swe said his government "intends to implement all appropriate recommendations that the secretary general had proposed."
Earlier in his address to the council, Ban described the junta's refusal to allow him to meet with jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as "a deep disappointment but also a major lost opportunity for Myanmar."
The democracy activist, who faces an internationally condemned trial for violating the terms of her house arrest, has been either jailed or under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years since the junta refused to recognize her National League for Democracy's victory in Myanmar's last elections, in 1990.
She faces up to five years in jail if convicted of violating her house arrest rules, after an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside home in May.
Than Swe pleaded for understanding of his country's predicament.
"Undue pressure from the outside without fully comprehending the challenges faced by Myanmar will not be conducive to the country's home-grown political process," he said.
Western members of the council strongly backed Ban's demands.
"There can be no free and fair elections while key leaders of Burmas democratic opposition, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,000 other political prisoners, languish in Burmas prisons," US delegate Rosemary DiCarlo told the council."
"Now is the time for Burma to match its words with deeds... When Burma demonstrates its willingness to respond to the international communitys demands and commit to genuine progress toward reform, the United States stands ready to respond," she added.
Britain's deputy UN ambassador Philip Parham also slammed the Myanmar regime, saying its failure to take advantage of Ban's visit to "transform its relationship with the international community... has only served to isolate it further."
"We can only hope that we may yet see progress in the coming days; It is not too late. But if it does not come, and if we see an unjust outcome in Daw Aung San Suu Kyis trial, the international community will need to follow the Secretary Generals lead and respond robustly," Parham warned.
France's outgoing UN Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert also served notice that the Security Council "will have to react firmly if Aung San Suu Kyi were to be sentenced."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in bus in IndiaAP - Tuesday, July 14
CORRECTED - Chinese spy widens; Australia wants hasteReuters - Tuesday, July 14
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in eastern IndiaAP - Tuesday, July 14
Chines intellectuals call for release of UighurAP - Tuesday, July 14
NKorea's Kim tours factory amid health speculationAFP - Tuesday, July 14
Enlarge Photo
Myanmar dangles amnesty, UN demands prisoner release
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Worst yet to come: White House economic advisor
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
Swine flu pandemic now 'unstoppable': WHO official
Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world
Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 Opel stirs renewed takeover speculation
South Korea downgrades cyber attack alert
Judge postpones trial in UBS tax secrecy case
Russian president in unexpected visit to S.Ossetia
NASA to make fifth attempt to launch Endeavour
Microsoft moving Office online in duel with Google
400-bln-euro plan to pump African solar power to Europe
U.S. military boss urges Iraq to settle differences
| International
|
Disputed Iraqi city fears oil will only fuel woes
British government criticized over Afghanistan equipment
| International
|
Costa Rica eyes fresh Honduras mediation talks
| International
|
Darfur rebels threaten to boycott "chaotic" talks
U.S. envoy explores Israel-Syria talks: report
| International
|
U.S. worried about American scholar detained in Iran
| International
|
U.S. ambassador to Iraq unhurt by convoy bomb
Myanmar says to amnesty prisoners before elections
| International
|
Russia's Medvedev visits South Ossetia, defying West
| International
|
Iraq curfew in some Christian areas after church bombs
Israeli minister dismisses EU official's peace ideas
Investor values Facebook common stock at $6.5 billion
| Technology
|
Take Two revises forecast, delays game launch
| Technology
|
Mexico sets rules for mobile telephone banking
| Technology
|
Moratorium sought in Utah on depleted uranium
AP-GfK Poll method, questions and results
States ask FCC's OK to jam prison cell phones
US Supreme Court fight opens in Congress
More storms threaten Monday shuttle launch attempt
Convention organizer found dead in NY hotel room
Analysis: Translating the Sotomayor hearing code
Graham predicts Sotomayor OK 'barring meltdown'
Chow quits Kato role in 'The Green Hornet'
Jackie Chan, Jaden Smith start 'Karate Kid' remake
EU plans to sign $100 bln S.Korea trade pact in '09
Pakistani clerics condemn theft of electricity
IMAX focused on Asia as part of global expansion
Actor Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmy Awards show
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan to set monetary policy on July 25 -c.bank
From Bikini Bottom to pop icon; SpongeBob turns 10
| Entertainment
|
S.Korea LG Chem buys 30,000T naphtha for late Aug
Judge denies Richard Hatch's Survivor reunion
| Entertainment
|
BB shows Montreux fans why he's King of the Blues
| Entertainment
|
George W. Bush inspired writer Tariq Ali
| Entertainment
|
Iraq boosts security in Christian areas after attacks
McDermott says stepmom Eve Ensler led him to act
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
George W. Bush inspired writer Tariq Ali
BB shows Montreux fans why he's "King of the Blues"
800,000 expected at French rock icon's Eiffel Tower concert
Nepal introduces grants for inter-caste marriages
'Gonzo' filmmakers hit London for Bhopal protest
Indian troops honoured on France's Bastille Day
Warhol's Jackson portrait dropped from NY auction
Mexico sets rules for mobile telephone banking
Jewish athletes converge on Israel for Maccabiah
Mali denies it paid ransom for Swiss hostage
Japan PM woes persist before vote, party in disarray
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
US auto task force changes leaders after GM exit
Jackson wasn't ready for London comeback: father
Facebook gets $6.5 billion valuation with share sale
US soldiers in Iraq charged with filming women
Chinese spy probe widens; Australia wants haste
| International
|
Investor offer values Facebook at 6.5 bln dlrs
Helicopter crashes in Afghanistan; casualties
| International
|
AP settles lawsuit with AHN Media
Iran executes Sunni rebels: report
| International
|
Goldman Sachs execs sold $700m of stock: report
Turkish PM told to take back Xinjiang genocide remark
| International
|
Swine flu pandemic now 'unstoppable': WHO official
Police injured in N.Ireland march season violence
Mosaid sues IBM for patent infringement
Turkey signs big Europe gas pipe deal
Take Two reduces forecast, delays game launch
US deficit reaches more than one trillion dollars
Medvedev in surprise visit to rebel Georgian region
Suspected drug hitmen dump 12 bodies on Mexico road
| International
|
Microsoft seeking buyer for Razorfish: WSJ
Ousted Honduran president issues talks ultimatum
| International
|
Facebook gets $6.5 billion valuation with share sale
| Technology
|
Blockbuster, Samsung set on-demand video pact
| Technology
|
Southwest inspects planes after emergency landing
Mosaid sues IBM for patent infringement
| Technology
|
High-tech drugs would get 12-yr market protection
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in bus in India
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama is latest duffer in chief
Chinese iron probe widens; Australia wants haste
Konica Minolta to start new film plant by autumn 2010
| Technology
|
Monsoon floodwaters drown 7 in eastern India
Suburban Philly pool faces discrimination suit
Chines intellectuals call for release of Uighur
NKorea's Kim tours factory amid health speculation
Palin's PAC reports raising more than $730,000
Mexico, US set protocol on weapons cooperation
Myanmar dangles amnesty, UN demands prisoner release
Cadel Evans knows allies may be hard to find
3 dead after Amtrak train hits vehicle in Illinois
Clinton: Vetting for USAID job 'ridiculous'
Japan lifts ban on children donating organs
Hopes for Ishikawa to lift struggling Japan golf
Reports: China probes 5 steelmakers in Rio case
Moderate earthquake strikes offshore Taiwan
Taiwan could issue more bonds to fund stimulus-paper
Taiwan dollar off 2-½ month low, eyes on stocks
US, China set date for new high-level dialogue
Seoul shares open higher as banks, techs rally
NZ well placed for recovery, needs weak currency-RBNZ
Actor Neil Patrick Harris to host Emmy Awards show
EU regulator reveals cartel probe into LCD firms
IMAX focused on Asia as part of global expansion
Lady GaGa charts third No. 1 on Mainstream Top 40
| Entertainment
|
Idol champ Sparks at peace with Battlefield
| Entertainment
|
Indie distributor Oscilloscope greets Messenger
| Entertainment
|
Finns find their feet at tango street festival
Bruno tailored in UK for younger crowd
| Entertainment
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
The gods have spoken: Portman tapped for Thor
| Entertainment
|
"Ephemeres" makes lasting impression
Fans gather in London where Jackson was to perform
| Entertainment
|
Lady GaGa charts third No. 1 on Mainstream Top 40
Ephemeres makes lasting impression
| Entertainment
|
Close pal to issue Farrah Fawcett book next month
| Entertainment
|
Toby Keith puts "American Ride" in high gear
French beach boys feeling good surfing vibrations
Actress Maura Tierney to have breast tumor surgery
| Entertainment
|
Jackson's mother seeks to be trustee of his estate
ABT's many Romeos, Juliets are studies in contrast
Fans gather in London where Jackson was to perform
Close pal to issue Farrah Fawcett book next month
Kids Of Ex-Cop Jailed Nearly 20 Years For Molestation Say Dad Did Not Abuse Them
Britney Spears Changes Her Stage Show To Make Sure She Doesn't Get "Bored"
Teen Becomes Youngest African-American Female To Fly Across U.S. Solo
Invasive Pythons Wreaking Havoc In Florida
Transplant Drug May One Day Extend Human Life
GM Considering Partnering With eBay To Sell Cars
Joe Jackson To Put Michael's Children On Tour
Helicopter crash kills six in Afghanistan: NATO
German investor confidence posts surprise drop
Khmer Rouge interrogator says no regrets about deaths
| International
|
Cyber crime lords using big business tactics: Cisco
Cats purrfect the art of getting what they want: study
West Bank car accident injures 3 Israelis
EU assembly gets first president from Eastern Europe
| International
|
Microsoft touts early feedback on Bing
Poverty hampering access to vaccine: WHO chief
'Virginia Woolf's beach' sold for £80,000
Konica Minolta to start new film plant by autumn 2010
Youths mark Bastille Day by burning cars in France
Iran hangs 13 members of rebel Sunni Muslim group
Rwanda governor jailed for life for genocide
| International
|
First trip to moon recreated for Internet generation
CORRECTED: Blair says West Bank bottom-up effort gets result
| International
|
Somali gunmen kidnap two French security advisers
| International
|
Two Israeli warships cross Suez Canal
| International
|
Liberia's Taylor takes stand to deny war crimes
| International
|
23 militants killed in clashes in Pakistan
NATO: 6 killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash
AP NewsAlert
China city tense after police shooting kills 2
Deadly Pakistan clashes, NATO tanker ambushed: officials
Poor IT job market may fuel online crime: Cisco
| Technology
|
Japan PM hit by censure motion
China stops shock therapy for Internet addicts
Madoff leaves Atlanta lockup, headed to NC prison
Obama goes to Michigan, then All-Star Game
NTSB to issue final report on Boston trolley crash
China bans electro-shock therapy for Internet addicts
| Technology
|
Australia braces for mass swine flu vaccination
Interrogator at Khmer Rouge prison denies torture
Low gas prices hurt sales of high-ethanol E85 fuel
Japan PM survives no confidence vote
Trucker who went on killing spree awaits execution
AP source: Review planned for terror alert system
AP sources: Obama wants Senate health bill quickly
Key terms used in Sotomayor confirmation hearings
Indonesia blames separatists for Papua attacks
Hoarded art by 'quirky' collector could net $20M
Toyota rolls out first hybrid-only Lexus model
Iran singer gets jail term for Koran disrespect
LA mayor: City will pay costs from Jackson event
Michael Jackson family says concert plans too much for him
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan to welcome many China tourists in 2009: Ma
Son of late porn mogul Mitchell suspect in killing
S.Korea's OCI denies report on chairman being probed
ID'ing the masses may solve Indian identity crisis
"Bruno" tailored in UK for younger crowd
The gods have spoken: Portman tapped for "Thor"
S.Korean police: Hackers extracted data in attacks
Offshore holdings of NZ govt debt fall in June
Writer Claims "Lost" Was Ripped Off From Pilot He Wrote In '77
Gift-wrapped Fan Stalks Boy Band JLS
Beauty And The Beast: Emma Watson And Marilyn Manson Team For Gothic Cinderella
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights