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Burma to free Suu Kyi US 'guest' Burma to free Suu Kyi US 'guest'
(about 2 hours later)
US Senator Jim Webb has said jailed American John Yettaw is to be released by Burma's military leaders and will leave the country with him on Sunday.US Senator Jim Webb has said jailed American John Yettaw is to be released by Burma's military leaders and will leave the country with him on Sunday.
The announcement came shortly after Mr Webb held talks with Burmese military ruler Than Shwe in Burma.The announcement came shortly after Mr Webb held talks with Burmese military ruler Than Shwe in Burma.
Mr Webb also met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, days after she was given house arrest for 18 more months.Mr Webb also met pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, days after she was given house arrest for 18 more months.
Mr Yettaw's uninvited visit to Ms Suu Kyi's home led to her trial. He was himself given seven years' hard labour.Mr Yettaw's uninvited visit to Ms Suu Kyi's home led to her trial. He was himself given seven years' hard labour.
Mr Webb's office said Mr Yettaw would be officially deported on Sunday morning and that the senator would bring him out of the country on a military aircraft that was returning to Bangkok.Mr Webb's office said Mr Yettaw would be officially deported on Sunday morning and that the senator would bring him out of the country on a military aircraft that was returning to Bangkok.
Mr Yettaw's wife, Betty, told the Associated Press that she had not received any official notice that he would be returning home.
It is my hope that we can take advantage of these gestures as a way to begin laying a foundation of goodwill and confidence-building in the future Senator Jim Webb Burmese junta's tactical manoeuvre Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi intruderIt is my hope that we can take advantage of these gestures as a way to begin laying a foundation of goodwill and confidence-building in the future Senator Jim Webb Burmese junta's tactical manoeuvre Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi intruder
"If it's true, of course I'm extremely happy, and we're ecstatic," she said by telephone from their home in Camdenton, central Missouri.
One of his ex-wives, Yvonne, with whom he had six children, said she also had not received confirmation, but said she had been "stunned" by the news.
After his arrest, Mr Yettaw, said he had been sent by God to deliver a warning to Ms Suu Kyi that she would be assassinated.After his arrest, Mr Yettaw, said he had been sent by God to deliver a warning to Ms Suu Kyi that she would be assassinated.
The Democratic senator, who also asked for the release of Ms Suu Kyi, is the most senior US official to meet the Burmese leader, his office said. Senator Webb, who also asked for the release of Ms Suu Kyi, was the most senior US official to meet the Burmese leader, his office said.
"I am grateful to the Myanmar government for honouring these requests," Mr Webb said in a statement announcing Mr Yettaw's release. "I am grateful to the Myanmar government for honouring these requests," he said in a statement announcing Mr Yettaw's release.
"It is my hope that we can take advantage of these gestures as a way to begin laying a foundation of goodwill and confidence-building in the future." "It is my hope that we can take advantage of these gestures as a way to begin laying a foundation of goodwill and confidence-building in the future," Senator Webb added.
The UN Security Council expressed "serious concern" following Ms Suu Kyi's conviction earlier this week, while the EU extended sanctions against Burma. 'Sacrifices'
'Milder' statement Earlier, Ms Suu Kyi was taken to a state guesthouse near her home to meet Senator Webb, where the two held talks lasting about 40 minutes.
Ms Suu Kyi had earlier been taken to a state guesthouse near her home to meet Mr Webb, where the two held talks lasting about 40 minutes.
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Mr Webb met Aung San Suu Kyi after talks with Burma's military leader Senator Webb met Ms Suu Kyi after talks with Burma's military leader
Mr Webb described the meeting as "an opportunity for me to convey my deep respect to Aung San Suu Kyi for the sacrifices she has made on behalf of democracy around the world". The Democratic senator described the meeting as "an opportunity for me to convey my deep respect to Aung San Suu Kyi for the sacrifices she has made on behalf of democracy around the world".
Ms Suu Kyi went on trial in May after Mr Yettaw swam to her lakeside home with homemade flippers, evading guards.Ms Suu Kyi went on trial in May after Mr Yettaw swam to her lakeside home with homemade flippers, evading guards.
She was charged with breaking the terms of her house arrest by sheltering Mr Yettaw and, after many delays, was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in prison.She was charged with breaking the terms of her house arrest by sheltering Mr Yettaw and, after many delays, was sentenced on Tuesday to three years in prison.
Although the sentence was commuted to 18 months' house arrest by Than Shwe, it ensures the opposition leader cannot take in planned elections next year.
Ms Suu Kyi, 64, has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest.
Gen Than Shwe has ruled Burma since 1992Gen Than Shwe has ruled Burma since 1992
Mr Webb, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific affairs, has previously called for more "constructive" US engagement with Burma. Although the sentence was commuted to 18 months' house arrest by Than Shwe, it ensures the opposition leader cannot take part in planned elections next year.
Ms Suu Kyi, 64, has spent 14 of the past 20 years under house arrest.
Senator Webb, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia and Pacific affairs, has previously called for more "constructive" US engagement with Burma.
He said in July that the trial of Ms Suu Kyi would make this difficult.He said in July that the trial of Ms Suu Kyi would make this difficult.
A UN Security Council statement on Thursday expressed "serious concern" at the sentence and urged the release of all political prisoners. The UN Security Council expressed "serious concern" following Ms Suu Kyi's conviction earlier this week and urged the release of all political prisoners, while the EU extended sanctions against Burma.
Correspondents said the statement had been watered down from an original US draft, which "condemned" the verdict and demanded that Burma's military junta free Ms Suu Kyi. But Burma's neighbour China said the world should respect its laws.
The main mover behind the weaker language was China - a powerful permanent member of the council, with close ties to Burma's rulers, says the BBC's Tom Lane at the UN.
Together with Russia it has blocked strongly-worded condemnations in the past, our correspondent adds.
The US, Britain and France were among countries to condemn the verdict, but Burma's neighbour China said the world should respect Burma's laws.
The EU said judges involved in Ms Suu Kyi's sentencing would now join military and government figures in having their overseas assets frozen and travel to the EU banned.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the current chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) told the BBC that imposing sanctions could lead to problems and that it was important to take a balanced approach to dealing with Burma.Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the current chairman of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) told the BBC that imposing sanctions could lead to problems and that it was important to take a balanced approach to dealing with Burma.
President Barack Obama said earlier this year that the US was reviewing its policy towards Burma.
Last month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said increased US engagement with Burma, including investment, might be possible if Ms Suu Kyi were freed. But she also warned that there were concerns over the transfer of nuclear technology from North Korea to Burma.