Japan and the Czech Republic have joined the growing list of nations calling for the release of detained Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi.
Both nations released statements today-Monday, criticizing Saturday's extension of the Nobel peace laureate's house arrest and calling on Burmese officials to open talks with the international community.
Burma's foreign minister has shrugged off international criticism of the extension, calling it a domestic issue.
Speaking in Malaysia on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, Nyan Win declined to explain why Burma's military junta extended Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest by another year. He also said he has no plans to
discuss the matter with his Malaysian and Thai counterparts.
Malaysia and Thailand are among the Southeast Asian nations that have expressed disappointment over the Burmese opposition leader's continued detention. The United States also condemned the decision, calling it another example of the Burmese military government's brutal repression.
