Myanmar could ease Suu Kyi detention: Japanese official

Myanmar's prime minister told Asian counterparts on Saturday that the ruling junta could relax the conditions of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, a Japanese official said.

Myanmar's prime minister told Asian counterparts on Saturday that the ruling junta could relax the conditions of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's detention, a Japanese official said.

HT Image

The Nobel Peace laureate had "softened" her attitude towards the military regime since her house arrest was extended in August for a further 18 months, the official quoted Myanmar premier Thein Sein as saying.

But while Thein Sein announced at a regional summit in Thailand that Myanmar also wants elections next year to be "inclusive", he would not say if Suu Kyi would be allowed to participate, the official said.

"(Myanmar's government) believes that Aung San Suu Kyi seems to have softened her attitude towards the authorities," Japanese delegation spokesman Kazuo Kodama quoted Thein Sein as telling leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and South Korea.

Kodama said that the Myanmar regime "thinks if Aung San Suu Kyi maintains a good attitude it is possible that the Myanmar authorities will relax the current measures.

"The Myanmar government is... Making preparations to make (next year's) election (an) inclusive election. The Myanmar government would like to ensure all the stakeholders will take part in such a process.