TOKYO —

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama pressed Myanmar on Saturday to release the country’s detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi before it holds general elections next year. In talks with the Japanese leader in Tokyo, Myanmar Prime Minister Gen Thein Sein said that ‘‘any party, any person will be able to take part’’ in the elections in accordance with a law that has yet to be announced, according to a Japanese official.
   
Hatoyama said that if Myanmar holds democratic elections in ways Japan hopes to see, Tokyo will then be able to strengthen various forms of assistance to the country. ‘‘It’s extremely important Ms Suu Kyi and other political prisoners be set free by the time the general elections are held in 2010,’’ the Japanese prime minister was quoted as saying. Hatoyama said at the same time that given the recent progress being made, including the resumption of dialogue between the military government and the Nobel Peace laureate and the improvement in its ties with Washington, Japan will expand, in phases, humanitarian and human resources assistance to Myanmar.

© 2009 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

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3 Comments

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  moonbeams at 07:20 AM JST - 8th November

  Good news. Much welcomed.

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  blvtzpk at 09:23 AM JST - 8th November

  Good news. Much welcomed.

  Because? It's just a gesture.

  You've got to back it up with threats of withdrawing any funding or monies sent to the regime. Otherwise, nothing will happen and it will be business as usual.

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  timorborder at 10:40 AM JST - 8th November

  Firstly, I get upset with people who refer to BURMA as myanmar, a term coined by the degenerate cabal of military axholes who are run the country in direct opposition to the will of the people.

  Secondly, instead of just pressing Myanmar, Japan (with its extensive investments in the country despite Suu Kyi being imprisoned) and the rest of the world should impose complete sanctions on the country.

  Indeed, if there was ever an argument for a regime change by force, Myanmar is it.

  Free Aung San Suu Kyi and free BURMA

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