11 July 1995

RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI

The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob McMullan, said today the news that the Myanmar authorities have released Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from restriction and house arrest, apparently without conditions, is hugely welcome.

"While caution is warranted about the intentions of Myanmar's ruling authority - the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) - her release is a most gratifying outcome of six years of pressure from the Australian Government and the international community," Senator McMullan said.

"The decision to release her is a reminder of the telling effect which concerted international action in support of an important defined goal, sustained over time, can achieve.

"I know that community groups in Australia which have been strongly pressing for her release will also welcome this news.

"The Government pays tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi for her steadfast maintenance of principles over six very difficult years of privation and isolation.

"The significance of her release is not yet clear, nor is it possible to predict what her future political role will be. However, it presents Myanmar with the opportunity to forge a new and better path for itself. The Government certainly hopes that the SLORC and all other political forces in Myanmar can now embark on the task of national reconciliation and building democracy.

"The process will require the release of all remaining political prisoners, the commencement of a serious dialogue on the future constitutional and political evolution of Myanmar, a clear timetable for the constitutional process, a genuine program of reconciliation with the national minorities, and a radical improvement in the human rights situation.

"I have asked the Australian Embassy in Yangon to report closely on developments in Myanmar, following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.

"Senator Evans will be attending the annual ASEAN ministerial meetings in Brunei from 29 July-3 August, where he will meet his counterparts from ASEAN, Myanmar and other countries and assess the significance of this very important development," Senator McMullan said.

Parliament House, Canberra, ACT 2600 Tel: (06) 277 7420 Fax: (06) 273 4128