Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

British PM Writes Letter of Support to Burma's Suu Kyi

update

British PM Writes Letter of Support to Burma's Suu Kyi

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has written a personal letter of support to detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The letter, posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Web site Wednesday, says Britain will continue to do everything possible to encourage change and democracy in the military-ruled country.

Mr. Brown said if the forthcoming 2010 elections in Burma are genuinely free and fair, the international community is ready to welcome Burma back into the community of nations.

However, the prime minister warned that if the elections proceed under a "rigged" constitution, with no international monitors and no opposition leaders included on the ballot, Burma will continue its diplomatic and economic isolation.

Prime Minister Brown also said he would urge Burma's military leaders to allow Aung San Suu Kyi more contact with diplomats in the Rangoon.

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent 14 of the last 20 years under some form of detention, mostly house arrest.

She was convicted in August of violating the terms of her latest house arrest for giving shelter to an American man who swam to her house uninvited back in May. She was sentenced to an additional 18 months of house arrest.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG