Burmese state media threatens Suu Kyi with ‘tragic end’ over ending sanctions stance

LONDON - Myanmar’s state media has for the first time criticized pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and warned that she along with her party will “meet their tragic ends” if they keep up their opposition to an end to Western sanctions.

In its statement issued last week, Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) stressed that any end to sanctions on Burma should be linked to an improvement in the junta’s human rights record, notably the release of political prisoners.

It was the first explicit criticism of the Nobel Peace Prize winner by state media since her release after seven years of house arrest in November, The Telegraph reports.

“If Daw Suu Kyi and the NLD keep going to the wrong way, ignoring the fact that today’s Myanmar is marching to a new era, new system and new political platforms paving the way for democracy, they will meet their tragic ends,” said a weekend commentary in the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, which is run by the ruling junta.

“Pointing out that, I would like to invite them to cooperate with the people in building a democratic nation in the interests of the nation and the people,” added the article, signed by Yan Gyi Aung, an apparent pseudonym that means ‘Conquest of Great Enemy’.

The NLD reacted cautiously to the commentary, saying it had not received any official response from the authorities to its statement on sanctions. (ANI)