NEW YORK, July 16 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday said he told the nation of Myanmar he expects it "to release Aung San Suu Kyi as soon as possible."
The Nobel laureate and the leadership of her National League for Democracy "have been held incommunicado since May 30, when they were arrested by government forces.
Annan said he and his special envoy to Myanmar, Razali Ismail, met with that nation's deputy foreign minister, U Khin Maung Win.
Annan said, "I emphasized that they should be released without further delay and that it was the responsibility of the Myanmar government to ensure the safety of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her NLD colleagues, in or out of detention.
"I remain convinced that the only way to build durable peace in Myanmar is to release the detainees, ensure their political freedoms and begin substantive dialogue."
He said the Myanmar special envoy promised to convey the message to Senior General Than Shwe," the chairman of the ruling military junta.
