Ministers warn Burma to free prisoners ahead of elections
Foreign ministers from key nations yesterday warned Burma’s ruling junta that the
release of political prisoners, including detained opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi, is “essential” for upcoming elections to be seen as credible.
Suu Kyi’s
National League for Democracy party and nine other opposition parties have been banned
from participating in the November 7th elections, the country’s first in
two decades.
Last week, the junta said that Suu Kyi will be allowed to vote
in the elections.
Following the meeting, UN chief Ban Ki Moon said the group
had “clearly reiterated the need for the election process to more inclusive, participatory
and transparent”
News editor for the Democratic Voice of Burma, Moe Aye, says
he doesn’t think the UN statement will have much effect.
“The election will
not be reliable, will not be recognised by the international community,” he told Vatican
Radio. “so they will do whatever they want, they will not release Aunt San Suu Kyi
or political prisoners and they will continue by their own way.”