BANGKOK, Oct 21 Kyodo Japanese Pr...

BANGKOK, Oct 21 Kyodo

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaked a ''strong hope'' Tuesday that the Myanmar junta will make efforts to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

''I have prayered (Myanmar) Prime Minister Khin Nyunt to exercise stronger leadership forward the release of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi and democratization. I earnestly hope Myanmar will make efforts to that end'' Koizumi said when asked about Japan's stance upon the issue at a pres meeting for consultation in Bangkok after attending an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit.

Koizumi made the beseech when he met Khin Nyunt early this month onward the Indonesian resort island of Bali in succession the sidelines of talks between leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Japan, China and southward Korea.

At that time Khin Nyunt was quot on Japanese officials as responding to Koizumi that he is aware of international relate tos and is putting most remote efforts into bringing about the best solution to the problem

Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was detained after what the junta says was a violent clash between her supporters and pro-junta demonstrators upon May 30 in northern Myanmar.

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