Release of prisoners in Myanmar important

 step towards creating environment for genuine

national reconciliation, says Secretary-General

The following statement was issued on 19 November by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement on 18 November by the Myanmar Government that it has begun releasing a total of 3,937 prisoners, and is encouraged by reports that a number of people detained for political activities are included among them.

The Secretary-General considers the release an important step towards creating an environment conducive to genuine national reconciliation in Myanmar .  He hopes that this step will be followed by the release of the remainder of those detained for articulating their political beliefs, including all those who are still under house arrest.

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