[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI

  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today I rise to affirm the call from 
Secretary of State Powell that military leaders in Burma release Aung 
San Suu Kyi from continued ``protective custody.''
  The reimposition of custody of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the denial of 
requests by United States and other officials to meet with her and 
assure her good health and well-being are unconscionable. She should be 
released immediately and unconditionally. In addition to the release of 
other National League for Democracy leaders who have been arrested, I 
also call upon the government of Burma to allow the NLD to reopen its 
offices throughout the country.
  The only hope for democracy in Burma will be found in dialogue among 
the National League for Democracy, the State Peace and Development 
Council and the ethnic nationalities. The arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi is 
a major setback to meaningful reform, and raises serious questions 
about whether the current ruling junta can be trusted to live up to any 
of its promises. The United States must continue to support Daw Aung 
San Suu Kyi and the NLD.
  I am pleased that the Bush administration, in coordination with the 
United Nations Security Council and other members of the international 
community, is ``considering all measures available in our efforts to 
foster this transition to democracy.''




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