US 'deeply concerned' about Myanmar opposition leader's welfare

 

Friday December 17, 4:58 PM  

 

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States expressed deep concern for the welfare of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi after her National League for Democracy said the military junta has restricted her access to a doctor and cut her personal security.  

 

"The United States is deeply concerned for the welfare of 1991 Nobel Laureate and National League for Democracy General Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said in a statement.

"Over the past two days, the Burmese junta has further restricted Aung San Suu Kyi's access to medical care and ordered most of her personal staff to leave the compound," Boucher said, using Myanmar's former name.

"We hold the Burmese junta solely responsible for her health, safety, security and well-being," he added.

The National League for Democracy said the famed pro-democracy leader's access to her doctor has been slashed from three visits a week to one, while her personal NLD security detail has been cut from 13 to six.

Aung San Suu Kyi, 59, has been detained since May last year when a junta-backed mob clashed with her supporters during one of her political trips in northern Myanmar.

The Nobel peace laureate underwent surgery in September last year, which her doctor said was related to gynecological and other unspecified conditions.

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