G-8 concerned about Myanmar, urges release of Suu Kyi and others+

TRIESTE, Italy, June 26 Kyodo -
Foreign ministers of the Group of Eight powers on Friday expressed deep concern
about the situation in Myanmar and urged the release of the nation's
pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

''We are deeply concerned about the recent developments,'' the chairman's
statement released after the ministers' discussions on regional issues said.
''We call on the government of Myanmar to release all political prisoners,
including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi whose continued detention would undermine the
credibility of the elections planned for 2010,'' it said.
The G-8 statement came as U.N. special envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari arrived
in the military-ruled country earlier in the day amid renewed calls from the
international community for the release of Suu Kyi.
''We reaffirm our full support to the U.N. secretary general's good office
mission and the initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and democratic
transition in Myanmar,'' the statement said.
Suu Kyi was charged with violating the terms of her house arrest after an
American intruder swam to her lakeside home in Yangon on May 3 and stayed there
for two days.
Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since 2003, now faces a maximum
five-year jail term if found guilty.
The three-day G-8 foreign ministerial meeting, which began Thursday, is a
preparatory session for the annual G-8 summit to be held in L'Aquila, Italy, on
July 8-10.
The G-8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the
United States.
==Kyodo