SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION

UNCLAS SEOUL 000792 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR ECON KPAO KMDR KS US SUBJECT: SEOUL - MEDIA REACTION EAST ASIA AND PACIFIC: BURMA -------------- "Immediate Release of Aung San Suu Kyi" Left-leaning Hankyoreh Shinmun editorialized (05/18): "Behind the military government's desire to keep Suu Kyi imprisoned is the general election that is scheduled to take place next year. In 1990, the National League for Democracy, led by Suu Kyi, won an overwhelming victory in the parliamentary election. The military government, however, overturned the results and seized power, and ever since has mobilized every means within its power, including the imprisonment of Suu Kyi, to nip any nascent democratization efforts in the bud. However, in the face of increasing pressure from within and outside the country, including protests led by Buddhist monks two years ago, the military government was obliged to make a promise to hold elections in 2010. For the military leadership, who needs to ensure their legitimacy through an election, Suu Kyi, who is to be freed soon, could be their biggest obstacle. There is no guarantee, however, that next year's election will not be a repeat of the nightmare from 20 years ago. ... If Burma's military government wants real legitimacy, it needs to hand over power to the people and accept their democratically made choice. The first step toward that end would be to call a halt to their farce of a trial against Suu Kyi and to release her from house arrest." STANTON