New Delhi: One of the world's most popular political prisoners and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest on Saturday after 15 years by Myanmar authorities. Suu Kyi was released just a week after her country witnessed its first election in two decades.
While Suu Kyi's supporters were pleased, they also reminded the world that she had been let go before, only to be detained again.
The terms of her release are not clear. Was it unconditional is the big question?
Suu Kyi has in the past warned she would never accept any conditions set by Myanmar's generals as the price for her freedom. But after so many years of incarceration could Suu Ki be preparing her partymen for a more pragmatic approach to the generals.
India came out with a carefully worded statement on Suu Kyi's release.
"Government of India welcomes the release. Release will lead to more inclusive approach to political reform. We hope this will be the beginning of process of reconciliation in Myanmar. Recent elections are imp step in the direction of national reconciliation. India have always encouraged this as a close neighbor of Myanmar we are confident that the release will contribute the efforts for more inclusive effort in political reforms," said External Affairs Minister SM Krishna in New Delhi on Saturday.
Leaders from around the world also welcomed the news of the Nobel Peace Prize winner's release, calling her a symbol of peace.
While welcoming Suu Kyi's release US President Barack Obama said that it was time for the Myanmar regime to release all political prisoners and not just one.
Obama call Suu Kyi his hero and a source of inspirations to all those who work to advance basic human rights.
"The United States welcomes her long overdue release. It is time for the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners, not just one. She is a hero of mine and a source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma and around the world," said Obama.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Suu Kyi a symbolic figure of the global fight for human rights.
"Her pacificism and intransigence have made her a model," said Angela.
British Prime Minister David Cameron called the Nobel laureate an inspiration for all those believe in the freedom of speech, democracy and human rights. He urged the Burmese regime to uphold her right to freedom.
"Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration for all of us who believe in freedom of speech, democracy and human rights. Freedom is Aung San Suu Kyi's right. The Burmese regime must now uphold it," he said.
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown said, "I think it's important to recognise that until she is able to take her rightful place as leader of her political party, the person who was elected to govern in 1990, then nobody will think that Burma has had free and fair elections in the last few weeks."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that his country would be extremely attentive to the conditions in which Aung San Suu Kyi enjoys her liberty.
"France will be extremely attentive to the conditions in which Madame Aung San Suu Kyi enjoys her refound liberty. Any restrictions on her freedom of movement and expression would constitute a new unacceptable denial of her rights," he said.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the news of Suu Kyi's release but said it was deeply regrettable that she had been excluded from participating in the recent elections.
"Notwithstanding the welcome news of her release, it is deeply regrettable that
Aung San Suu Kyi was effectively excluded from participating in the recent elections," said Ban.
Philippines President Benigno Aquino III called Suu Kyi's release a good news.
"We heard the good news. We don't have the details yet. We hope it's total freedom, she gets back all of her rights and hopefully this will lead to real stability in Myanmar, but again inclusive of all parties concern," said Aquino III.
"New Zealand supports that move. It's been a long time in coming. We've had some concerns about the elections in Burma and we're pleased that the opposition leader has been released," said New Zealand Prime Minister John Key.
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