The government of Burma has released the American citizen John William Yettaw. The authorities should immediately release the democracy icon Dawn Aung San Suu Kyi said that U Nyan Win, the spokesman of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
On August 14 2009, the American Senator Jim Webb arrived in Burma and met Senior General Than Shwe. The American citizen John Yettaw was released not long after the meeting. A week ago Yettaw was sentenced to 7 years of hard labour on charges for illegally intruding Suu Kyi’s house while she was under house arrest.
“The Burmese government released the American, why don’t they release Aung San Suu Kyu. She did not do anything wrong. She should be also released”, U Nyain Win said.
During his stay in Burma Senator Jim Webb met general Than Shwe and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the representatives of other ethnic parties.
“In my opinion, Senator Webb came to Burma to achieve an understanding with the military government. The senator’s visit was not beneficial for the Burmese people. There is no progressive development in Burma”, U Nyain Win added.
However, Senator Webb in a previous statement declared he urged the military government to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. He did so during his meeting with general Than Shwe.
The Secretary General of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament (CRPP) U Aye Tha Aung said Senator Webb came to Burma to understand more about the current situation and to pave the way for new political approach to the Burmese government.
“Mr. Yettaw would have been driven out of the country no matter with or without the visit of Mr. Webb. It is not important whether Yettaw would be punished or not. The important fact is that SPDC managed to keep Daw Suu off the campaign trail ahead of next year's elections”, U Aye Tha Aung stated.
The former member of the New Mon State Party expressed an opinion that Webb’s visit to Burma was a tactical approach to the Burmese military government.
“There is no point for them to held Yettaw prisoner for a long time. They try to use his release in order to stabilize their positions abroad”, he added.
