World leaders outraged at detention in Myanmar

YANGON, Myanmar -- World leaders are expressing anger at Myanmar's decision to extend the detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, days after foreign donors pledged millions to help cyclone victims. Several countries, including Canada, the United States, Britain and France, have issued biting statements about the regime's order to keep the Nobel peace prize laureate under house arrest for a sixth year. "Canada has repeatedly called on the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, respect the human rights of the people of Burma, and engage in a genuine dialogue with the democratic movement," said Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson in a statement issued late yesterday, noting Canada conferred honorary citizenship on her last October. Suu Kyi has been held for more than 12 of the past 18 years, becoming a symbol of the junta's intolerance of dissent. Many countries critical of Myanmar's abuses had put politics aside to help survivors of cyclone Nargis, which ravaged the Irrawaddy Delta nearly a month ago, killing more than 78,000 and leaving 1.5 million homeless. Representatives from 50 countries pledged up to $150 million Sunday, while remaining quiet about Suu Kyi's plight. In Washington, President George W. Bush said he was "deeply troubled" by the detention order, but stressed the United States would continue to provide cyclone aid. He called on the regime to free all political prisoners and begin genuine dialogue with Suu Kyi that would lead to a transition to democracy. Her National League for Democracy party denounced the extension of house arrest as illegal, saying it would launch an appeal. Under Myanmar law, people deemed security threats can be detained for a maximum of five years without trial. The regime has not officially announced its decision to extend Suu Kyi's detention or explain why it is violating its own law.