Roadblock to Suu Kyi's house lifted: Good sign for Burma, says NLD

Jan 18, 2006 (DVB) - The roadblock outside detained Burma’s democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's house on University Avenue in Rangoon was removed from 16 January.

A Rangoon resident told DVB that barbed-wired security checkpoints at Hledan and Kokekine Streets, situated on each end of University Avenue were lifted, but added that only personal cars, no taxis nor buses, were allowed into the Avenue.

“You could say that it is quite extraordinary because it is not like before, the situation has changed extraordinarily,” NLD spokesman Myint Thein told DVB. “But if you ask me if it is the sign for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, I dare not answer it. The reason being, this kind of thing happened quite often like this before. I dare not say anything because there were examples of things becoming more restrictive. But whatever it is, we live with/in hope. This is the first step to improved situation, and it is a good sign as it is the first step to the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is also good for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and a good sign for the country.”

The roadblock was set up by the ruling military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1997 with only military vehicles and residents of the area allowed through the area.