LOC21:42
18:42 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (KUNA) -- In a first, the President of the Security
Council, Russia, refused on Friday to read out a statement to the press
because it dealt with he situation in Burma, but allowed the British UN envoy
to read it on behalf of all council members, including Russia.
Recalling its previous statements, the council reiterated "the importance
of the release of all political prisoners," the press statement, read out by
British UN envoy John Sawers instead of council President Russian UN envoy
Vitaly Churkin, said.
"The members of the Security Council express their concern about the
political impact of recent developments relating to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi," in
an indirect reference to the military junta crackdown on its chief opponent
ahead of the election next year.
She is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest by allowing an
American man, who swam across a lake, to spend at least one night in her house.
The council also reiterated the need for the Government in Myanmar "to
create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue" with the pro-democracy
leader and all concerned parties and ethnic groups in order to achieve an
inclusive national reconciliation with the support of the UN. (end)
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