Access to 'detained' Suu Kyi denied

Myanmar's military rulers have said opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is to remain in what they call "protective custody".

Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win told diplomats in the capital Yangon that she was in good health and would be released in due course.

Tap Here to Add The Daily Star As A Trusted Source

The government detained Aung San Suu Kyi after a clash between her followers and government supporters last week.

Foreign human rights advocates have said they suspect the clash was provoked by the authorities to justify a crackdown.

However in closed-door briefings to foreign diplomats on Tuesday, Khin Maung Win blamed supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi for the violence, Reuters news agency reported. He added that the government remained committed to political reconciliation.

The deputy foreign minister refused to say where the Nobel Peace Prize winner was being held. She has been held at undisclosed locations since her detention on Friday despite mounting calls to free her by the international community, including from US President Bush.

Though no one has yet been given access to her, an Asian diplomat close to UN special envoy Razali Ismail -- due to arrive on Friday for a five-day visit -- told Reuters the veteran Malaysian diplomat was seeking access to Suu Kyi.

"Razali is not sure if he will be allowed to see her or not," said the diplomat. "He will make his final decision on his visit at the very last moment as he feels the situation is not clear."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, following his arrival at UN headquarters from the G-8 summit in Evian on Tuesday, said it was vital Razali visits Myanmar and is given access to Suu Kyi.

Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Muang Win said on Tuesday that Razali was welcome to go ahead with his visit, planned some weeks ago, but hinted the junta may not grant him access to Suu Kyi.

Foreign diplomats in Yangon told Reuters on Wednesday that they had been denied any contact with Suu Kyi and other top members of her NLD party who hare being held house arrest.

Meanwhile there have been reports that Suu Kyi was receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during a violent clash between her supporters and pro-government demonstrators last week.

But Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win assured diplomats on Tuesday that Aung San Suu Kyi had not been injured and was in good health.

However, a BBC correspondent says that she is in fact being treated at a military camp just outside Yangon.