Ban Ki-moon ask PM Thein Sien release San Suu Kyi

Ban Ki-moon has demanded the release of detained pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his meeting with the Myanmarese Prime Minister Thein Sien who is attending the opening session of the General Assembly.

Ban Ki-moon has demanded the release of detained pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his meeting with the Myanmarese Prime Minister Thein Sien who is attending the opening session of the General Assembly.

"The Secretary General made clear that the onus was on the government to create the necessary conditions for credible and inclusive elections, including the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, as well dialogue with all stakeholders," Michele Montas, the spokesperson for Ban said.

"The Secretary General reiterated his clear expectation that Myanmar will respond in a timely manner to the proposals he left with the senior leadership of Myanmar during his visit," she said.

During Ban Ki-moom two-day visit to Myanmar in July, the UN Chief made three demands on Myanmar leadership - to release 2,200 political prisoners, hold free and fair elections in 2010, and resume a dialogue between the government and opposition.

Following Ban's visit, Myanmar ambassador to the UN, Than Swe, told the Council, "At the request of the Secretary General Myanmar is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections."But these assurances have not been followed up.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi, 64, has been under detention for most of the past two past decades. She is the leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the national elections in 1990.

US and other Western nations have been imposing sanctions because of Myanmar's refusal to release Suu Kyi, and the military junta is accused of human rights violations in the country.

China and Russia have vetoed Security Council resolutions against Myanmar. "Sanctions are being employed as a political tool against Myanmar and we consider them unjust. I would like to state that such acts must be stopped,"