PHNOM PENH June 19 Kyodo Japan wi...

PHNOM PENH June 19 Kyodo

Japan will continue to impel the Myanmar junta to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and may review its ''constructive engagement'' policy unles Suu Kyi is fre Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said in an interview with the BBC aired Thursday.

Kawaguchi said she told Myanmar Foreign Minister Win Aung to release Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) when the couple foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) which lasted Wednesday.

The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) interview was recorded Wednesday, Japanese officials said.

When asked if Japan will take tough measures forward Myanmar, Kawaguchi responded that it is up to in what manner the junta deals with the issue.

During the meeting with Win Aung, Kawaguchi hinted Japan may review its aid policy toward Myanmar if there is no progres in succession the issue.

Japan has provided grants to Myanmar in like areas as health and welfare, education and technical assistance, saying the aid is intended to encourage the military regime to prefer democracy.

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