By DPA
Washington : US President George W Bush has strongly condemned the crackdown in Myanmar on democratic activists and protestors and called for the release of all political prisoners in the country.
“I strongly condemn the ongoing actions of the Burmese regime in arresting, harassing, and assaulting pro-democracy activists for organising or participating in peaceful demonstrations,” Bush said.
The White House said Thursday that Bush would be raising the issue during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Sydney next month.
Bush said all prisoners should be released, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s leading democratic activist who has been under house arrest for years.
Human rights groups allege the repressive Myanmar regime has arrested about 100 people during more than a week of protests against high fuel prices. The regime says only 64 people have been taken into custody.
“The Burmese regime should heed the international calls to release these activists immediately and stop its intimidation of those Burmese citizens who are promoting democracy and human rights,” Bush said.