Burma’s junta dismisses US claim that Suu Kyi is on hunger strike

BURMA’S military government dismissed as “quite odd” yesterday a US government claim that opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was on hunger strike in protest at her continued detention.

The US State Department had said it was “deeply concerned” for the health of Suu Kyi, claiming she has launched a hunger strike in detention. It did not say where it obtained that information.

The Burmese government “as well as governments around the world are confused and we firmly believe it is quite odd for the United States State Department to make such a claim without stating any sources to verify its allegation,” a junta statement said.

It said Burma authorities shared “the US view that governments are fully responsible for the welfare of all its political prisoners.” But the government was responsible not only for Suu Kyi’s welfare, but also that of the country’s 52 million people, it added.

Suu Kyi was arrested on May 30 following a bloody confrontation between her followers and the regime’s supporters.

On Saturday, Burma’s newly-appointed prime minister, Gen Khin Nyunt, announced a “road map” to national elections and a new government, but made no offers to hold talks with Suu Kyi.