Bangkok--Oct 20--UNISBKK
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for
Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is concerned about the events that have unfolded
in Yangon overnight, including the report that Prime Minister General Khin
Nyunt has been dismissed and put under house arrest.
Noting the change in the top leadership of the Government, the
Secretary-General calls on the Myanmar authorities to remain committed to
the process of national reconciliation and democratization. To that end,
he urges the Myanmar authorities to resume as soon as possible substantive
dialogue with the National League for Democracy (NLD) and other political
parties, as well as furthering its dialogue with ethnic nationality
ceasefire and non-ceasefire groups.
The Secretary-General is also concerned about the welfare of Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi and her deputy, U Tin Oo, who have been kept under house arrest
since May 2003. He reiterates his call on the Myanmar authorities to
release them without further delay. End.