Minister for Foreign Affairs condemns continued house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi

Mr. Ahern said "the decision of the Burmese regime to extend the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi marks a further set back for the people of Burma and their aspiration to live in a free and democratic society. The Government, together with our EU partners, will continue to use every opportunity to press the Burmese government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and to allow her and her party to play their full part in the process of national reconciliation and democratisation."

The Minister also called on the Burmese authorities to allow the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mr. Razali Ismail, to travel to Burma at the earliest opportunity and, while there, to visit Aung San Suu Kyi.