Red Cross denied visit to Suu Kyi

The Red Cross has been refused permission to see detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but is being allowed to visit others held in following political violence last month.

“The International Committee of the Red Cross is given access to all persons detained in connection with the event on May 30 with one exception,” said Michel Ducreaux, the regional representative of the ICRC in Burma.

He spoke after talks in the capital Rangoon today with Home Minister Colonel Tin Hlaing.

“You know who that one exception is,” Ducreaux said in a clear reference to Suu Kyi, whom he’d been asked about for several days.

Ducreaux didn’t mention Suu Kyi by name, but instead made a point of saying he could meet Tin Oo, the 76-year-old vice chairman of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, and others.

Suu Kyi and other members of her party have been detained since a violent incident last month during her political tour of the region.

World leaders, including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and US President George Bush have issued strong appeals for the release of the Nobel Peace Prize winner and the restoration of political freedom for her party, many of whose offices have been closed by the authorities since the incident.

Burma’s ruling military junta, which came to power in 1988, refused to step down after Suu Kyi’s party won a 1990 general election.

She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and has spent most of the time since then under house arrest or strict surveillance.