Suu Kyi detention extended

Burma’s military junta on Tuesday extended the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, for another year, drawing muted criticism from western countries now focused on aiding survivors of cyclone Nargis.

The news came as UN officials said they expected to “exponentially” scale up the delivery of much-needed food aid to survivors in the coming days.

Ms Suu Kyi, 62, is the daughter of Burma’s revered independence hero. Her NLD party won a landslide 1990 election victory but was never permitted to take power, and she has spent around 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest.

The regime’s decision, which came as no surprise, was conveyed to Ms Suu Kyi by government officials during a 10-minute visit to her home.

Western governments have previously been vociferous in calling for Ms Suu Kyi’s freedom. But since cyclone Nargis, they and the UN have been preoccupied with relief efforts for survivors.

Visiting Burma last week, Ban Ki-Moon, the UN secretary general, spent two hours with Sen. Gen Than Shwe, the powerful army chief, without mentioning Ms Suu Kyi. At an extraordinary donor meeting on Sunday, more than 50 governments promised greater financial help for cyclone survivors if the regime granted “unhindered access” to foreign aid workers, but without any political conditions.

David Miliband, the UK’s foreign secretary, said he was “saddened, if not surprised” by Nobel Laureate’s ongoing house arrest. “While our immediate focus is on relieving the suffering caused by the recent cyclone, restoration of democracy in Burma is still vital for that country’s long-term future,” he said.

However, pro-democracy activists accused international leaders of “betraying” Ms Suu Kyi with their “silence.” Mark Farmaner, director of the Burma Campaign UK, said, “the UN is crawling on its knees before the regime, afraid to speak the truth in case it affects aid access deals.”