by Mungpi
Thursday, 07 May 2009 14:07
New Delhi - The US embassy in Rangoon said it is still trying to garner more information to confirm the identity of the American who reportedly swam across the Innya Lake and entered the residence of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burma’s state-run newspaper, the New Light of Myanmar, on Thursday reported that a US citizen was arrested on Wednesday after he swam across the Innya Lake, where swimming is prohibited.
The residence of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with flags of her party, the National League for Democracy. Photo – Mizzima.
The residence of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi with flags of her party, the National League for Democracy. Photo – Mizzima.
The newspaper said, during preliminary interrogation, the man, identified as John William Yeattaw, confessed that he swam across the Innya Lake on the night of May 3 and secretly entered the lakeside villa of Aung San Suu Kyi.
After staying at the Nobel Peace Laureate’s home for two days, he left the house on the evening of May 5. He was arrested on May 6 while swimming in the lake, the newspaper said.
Richard Mei, the spokesperson at the US Embassy in Rangoon said, “We saw the news report this morning, but I cannot confirm it because we have not been able to contact the individual yet.”
“But we are following up on it,” Mei said.
Mei said it is still difficult for them to even confirm the name of the man, whom the Burmese authorities have identified as John William Yeattaw.
“We also received news from the [Burmese] Foreign Ministry [on the case],” Mei said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party – the National League for Democracy – said they are worried about the security of their leader.
“We don’t know anything as yet, we just saw the newspaper, but we are concerned about her security [of Aung San Suu Kyi],” Nyan Win, the NLD spokesperson, told Mizzima.
The newspaper said, “Further investigation is being done to find out his motive for secretly entering the area that is out of bounds on security grounds.”
Aung San Suu Kyi is under house arrest for the past 12 of 19 years at her lakeside villa in University Avenue. Security remains tight outside her compound and no visitors are allowed except her doctor.
It is the first time that a foreigner has sneaked into the house of the detained opposition leader.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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