Junta ‘scared’ to free Suu Kyi

But the pleas for the release of the 61-year-old woman, who has been behind bars or under house arrest since mid-2003, are even more likely than usual to fall on deaf ears.

Two exiled dissidents said a prayer campaign for Suu Kyi last year and protests this year against deteriorating living conditions in the main city, Yangon, had sent shivers through the junta top brass.

“They are scared of her, especially at the moment,” said 54-year-old activist Khun Saing.

The last time Suu Kyi was released from house arrest, in 2002, she drew huge crowds on a tour of the country, a reminder to the generals of the huge sway the daughter of independence hero Aung San still held over Myanmar’s 54 million people.

Meanwhile in Washington, US first lady Laura Bush too joined female senators on Wednesday as they launched a fresh campaign to pressure the military junta in Myanmar to release Suu Kyi.