The United States has asked for many Asian governments, including Malaysia, to join in the call for the release of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Washington Post reported yesterday that formal diplomatic requests were delivered to US envoys in at least 11 capitals over the past week, specifically aiming at countries which are considered to have the most influence over the Burmese government.

Karl E Stoltz, the Public Affairs Counsellor at the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has confirmed the report, saying that the embassy's representatives had met with Wisma Putra officials last week to convey the request.

Clock turned back

Stoltz said the issue of the detention of Suu Kyi by the Burmese government two weeks ago had been discussed several times during meetings with Wisma Putra.

"We talk to the ministry regularly and the issue came up in several discussions. The US is deeply concerned about the status of Suu Kyi and other members of (her party) the National League for Democracy," he said when contacted today.

"We welcome news that she has not been injured, (but) the clock of Burma's progress towards democracy has effectively been turned back."

Stoltz could not provide details of the exact list of countries that have received the US request.

However, the Post said the message was likely to have been delivered to countries adjacent to Burma and other governments deemed to have the most influence over the Burmese government, particularly Thailand and China.

On the issue of US sanctions on Burma, Stoltz said US policymakers are presently discussing the matter.

"The US and its partners are considering what steps are necessary to deal with these changed circumstances in Burma," he added.

Wisma Putra silent

An official at Wisma Putra's Burma desk declined to say if there has been any communication between Kuala Lumpur and Rangoon.

"As the prime minister has already made a statement, we will not comment further on this matter at the moment," she said.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was quoted in today's newspapers as saying that Malaysia wants to see the release of Suu Kyi.

The premier said, however, that Malaysia would not be exerting pressure on the Burmese to release her.

Suu Kyi has been under "protective custody" for the past two weeks, following violent clashes between her supporters and pro-government groups at a northern Burmese town.

According to the government, four persons were killed in the attack and 50 more injured. However, unofficial estimates place the death toll as high as 70 persons.

News of the incident prompted international condemnation, followed by urgent calls by various governments for Suu Kyi to be released.

However, it was only yesterday that UN special envoy for Burma Razali Ismail was permitted to see her. He verified that she had not been injured in the attack, as earlier suspected.

Razali, who completed an urgent five-day mission to Rangoon yesterday, said he found Suu Kyi healthy.

Although he was unable to secure her immediate release from custody, he has set expectations that this will be done within two weeks.