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Burma's Suu Kyi responds to November release comment
Irrawaddy - January 28, 2010
Ba Kaung – In a meeting with her lawyer on Thursday, Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Burmese Home Minister's recent comment about her release this coming November is an obstruction of the legal process while her lawyers await the court's decision regarding the final appeal against her current 18-month period of house arrest.
"She said this kind of statement about her release can hinder the decision of the court regarding her final appeal," said lawyer Nyan Win, who met with her from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On Jan. 21, the Burmese Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo told local officials in Kyaukpadaung Township that National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Suu Kyi will be released in November when her term of house arrest expires. He also said that NLD deputy leader Tin Oo will be released when his term of house arrest expires on Feb. 13.
"Suu Kyi said this kind of statement [by Maj Gen Maung Oo] is absolutely inappropriate while the decision of the court is still pending," the lawyer said. "She used strong terms when stating her opinion about this," he added.
Maung Oo also told the local officials that the election will be free and fair and that there will be no cheating.
Burma's highest court heard final arguments by Suu Kyi' lawyers on Jan. 18 against her extended house arrest. No ruling was made and a decision is expected within the month.
Nyan Win said he discussed with Suu Kyi the necessary legal steps to pursue while continuing her appeal. He also said they discussed the case concerning the house repairs that Suu Kyi was forced to suspend due to an objection by her brother, Aung San Oo, who lives in the United States.
According to Nyan Win, Suu Kyi suspects that there could be some sort of dishonesty involved or even a conspiracy behind the objection to her house repairs.
Nyan Win said Suu Kyi is living in a house that is unsafe because the ceiling was removed during the renovations. "The whole house will be drenched if it rains," Nyan Win said. "But she did not grumble about her situation." He added that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate is in good health.
The lawyer said he asked for a copy of the objection letter from the Rangoon municipality, but had received nothing to date. "We will approach the Yangon [Rangoon] municipality and suggest the objection is not in accordance with the law," he said.
Nyan Win said that the pair also discussed the NLD's plans to expand and ways to strengthen the party.
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