Release Suu Kyi: Obama tells Myanmar PM

Singapore, Nov 14: US President Barack Obama has called for the release of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, when he met the country's prime minister at a meeting with other Southeast Asian leaders in Singapore.

Obama did not speak or shake hands with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein at the meeting in Singapore's Shangri-la hotel with the 10 leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday, Nov 15.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "Obama reiterated his call for Suu Kyi to be freed, although a statement to be issued after the meeting does not demand her release or that of other political prisoners ahead of elections in the military-ruled country next year."

The meeting in Singapore marked the first time in history a US leader had met with his counterparts in the 42-year-old grouping, founded at the height of the Vietnam War. It took place after an Asia-Pacific summit.

Washington has recently taken a two-prong approach to the former Burma, engaging the junta while keeping sanctions on the resource-rich nation that shares borders with India and China.

OneIndia News