Fresh hope for Suu Kyi's release

Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in a military crackdown nearly a year ago

Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi could be freed from house arrest within a few days, according to her party chairman, Aung Shwe.

Speculation over the pro-democracy leader's possible release has been growing in recent weeks.

Two other senior party officials - including Aung Shwe himself - were released last Tuesday.

The military junta also allowed the party to reopen its Rangoon headquarters over the weekend.

Aung Shwe's comments mirror those of Razali Ismail, the United Nations' special envoy to Burma, who said on Sunday that the restrictions against Aung San Suu Kyi would probably be lifted soon.

"She has to be released in the next several days or so. All indications are pointing to that direction," Mr Razali said.

Forthcoming convention

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent nine of the last 15 years in detention.

She and her vice chairman, Tin Oo, are the last senior opposition party members still confined to house arrest following a national crackdown against their party - the National League for Democracy - last May.

Their release would be seen as evidence the Burmese military government wants its plans for constitutional change to be taken seriously, by the opposition and by critics overseas.

The NLD's headquarters were reopened at the weekend

The government has promised fresh constitutional talks on 17 May as part of its "road map to democracy" announced last August.

But the NLD has refused to consider joining the talks until Aung San Suu Kyi and Tin Oo are freed.

There have been several signs that the government is loosening its grip on the NLD, fuelling speculation that Aung San Suu Kyi will be released in time for the convention.

Aung Shwe and NLD secretary U Lwin were freed on Tuesday, after both were given official invitations to attend the meeting.

And the party's headquarters in Rangoon have been reopened, a year after being forcibly shut by the military regime.

On Monday the telephone lines in the building were also restored, according to the Associated Press news agency.