SG/SM/8221
7 May 2002

Secretary-General Warmly Welcomes Release of Political Leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar

NEW YORK, 6 May (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the restoration of freedom of movement for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which took place on 6 May shortly after his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, concluded his seventh mission to Myanmar on 26 April.

The release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a major development, which provides fresh momentum to the 19-month-old confidence building and national reconciliation process between the Government and NLD.

The Secretary-General extends his best wishes to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who will resume her normal political activities as the leader of a lawful party. He remains ready to assist in the efforts of the Government and the NLD to find ways to push ahead the process of national reconciliation and democratization, acceptable to all parties in Myanmar.

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