Obama urges Myanmar to free democracy leader Suu Kyi

Singapore (CNN) - President Obama on Sunday called for the release of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
"There are clear steps that should be taken: the unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, an end to conflicts with minority groups, and a genuine dialogue between the government, the democratic opposition and minority groups," according to Obama , who said the government should work to ensure that its people's needs are met.
He spoke during a meeting with the 10 ASEAN leaders that the prime minister of Myanmar included. Obama was the first American president to take part in a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic alliance. The formal meeting was held on Sunday.
That the 10-nation alliance includes Myanmar, which the United States and other countries have been accused of human rights violations.
U.S. officials were careful to avoid any perception that Obama's presence at the ASEAN meeting would amount to a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Myanmar.
After years of refusing direct talks with Myanmar, also known as Burma, has the united states indicated a possible re-engagement with the military regime it considers oppressive for cracking down on political opposition, including the National League for Democracy.
The league is led by Suu Kyi, the detained Nobel Peace Prize.
"The statement we're trying to make here is that we do not intend to let the Burmese tail waiting for the ASEAN-dog," said Jeffrey Bader, the National Security Council senior director for East Asian affairs. "We go to all 10, and we're not going to punish the other nine simply because Burma is in the room, but it is not a bilateral."
Obama reiterated his statement in a speech Saturday in Tokyo, Japan.
"Despite years of good intentions, neither sanctions by the United States or engagement by others succeeded in improving the lives of the Burmese people," he said.
"So now we have to communicate directly with the leadership to make it clear that existing sanctions will remain until there are concrete steps towards democratic reform."
Suu Kyi, the iconic face of democracy in Myanmar, were under house arrest in 1989 on top.
The following year, the National League for Democracy won more than 80 percent of legislative seats in the first free elections in the country in nearly 30 years.
But Myanmar's military junta, Suu Kyi was disqualified from serving because of her house arrest and annulled the election results.
Her supporters said Suu Kyi's latest arrest - apparently as an American visiting her house without the consent of the government - intended to keep its limit, so they can participate in the general elections that the junta has planned for next year.
She is under house arrest for 13 of the last 19 years, and visitors are rarely permitted, except for her doctor.