Suu Kyi's detention 'will end'

The generals have refused to release Aung San Suu Kyi

The Burmese foreign minister has said that his country's military rulers do not intend to detain the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi indefinitely.

Win Aung told reporters in Indonesia that his government was working on a time-frame for ending Aung San Suu Kyi's detention from what it described as protective custody.

But he did not indicate when the opposition leader was likely to be released.

Win Aung was speaking during an official visit to Indonesia, the current chair of the South-East Asian group Asean, which has recently exerted pressure on Burma - a fellow member of the Association of South East Asian Nations [Asean] - to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

On being asked whether there was a possibility that Ms Suu Kyi would be released, Win Aung replied: "Of course. She will not remain there for a long period."

Burma has faced increasing international condemnation for its continued refusal to release Aung San Suu Kyi, who was detained after an attack on her convoy in northern Burma on 30 May.

Her detention has effectively halted a reconciliation process which started in October 2000 between her and the country's military rulers.

Ministers from Asia and Europe meeting in Bali last week called on Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi and resume moves towards reconciliation.

Both the United States and the European Union have also announced sanctions against the military state.

Asean issued a statement last month criticising the military junta - an unprecedented move for a group that has a tradition of non-interference in its members' affairs.

Many East Asian states want further negotiations, although others want more decisive action.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has said that Asean should threaten Burma with expulsion if it failed to release Aung San Suu Kyi.

Burma has sent envoys to several Asian countries, including Thailand and Japan, to try to explain Ms Suu Kyi's detention.

Meanwhile, in Burma itself, the situation remains uneasy.

Twelve people were arrested over the weekend in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

The accused men are said to have planted a number of bombs in Rangoon and surrounding townships, to target government ministers and create a climate of civil unrest.

The group are also accused of having connections with Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD).