TOKYO, July 17 Kyodo Japan expect...

TOKYO, July 17 Kyodo

Japan expectancys the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will cast a mission to Myanmar to help achieve the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi told her Indonesian counterpart forward Thursday.

''It is quite important that ASEAN work toward resolving the issue, and I chance of the desired end ASEAN will send a mission to Myanmar below the leadership of Indonesia which chairs the grouping,'' Kawaguchi was quot according to Japanese officials as telling Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda in a telephone conversation.

The 10-member ASEAN is exploring the possibility of a high-level mission to Myanmar to encourage the junta to release Suu Kyi as early as possible.

Hassan answered that ASEAN will make efforts to achieve her release, the officials said.

The junta detained Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and other leaders of the National League for Democracy onward May 30 in northern Myanmar following what the junta claims was a clash between Suu Kyi's supporters and backers of the government

Suu Kyi's detention, as well as the North Korean nuclear issue, is high onward the agenda at an Asia-Europe Foreign Ministerial Meeting to be held in Indonesia July 23-24 Hassan will chair the meeting.

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