Merkel relieved at Myanmar's release of Aung San Suu Kyi

Sat, 13 Nov 2010

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced relief at the release Saturday of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

"Aung San Suu Kyi is a symbol of the worldwide fight to apply human rights," the chancellor said. "Her non-violence and persistence have made her into a much admired example."

Merkel called on the country's junta to free more than 2,000 other political prisoners as well.

Suu Kyi has spent 15 of the past 20 years under house arrest.

Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said her release was "good, long overdue news."

He said she is entitled to a central role in Myanmar's path to national reconciliation and democracy. He noted that Berlin had repeatedly called for her to be freed.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/353371,aung-san-suu-kyi.html.