[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 91 (Thursday, June 19, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      BIRTHDAY OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on June 19, 1945, Burmese democracy 
leader Aung San Suu Kyi was born in Rangoon, Burma, to Ma Khin Kyi and 
Aung San.
  Some speculate that she was destined to be a defender of freedom in 
Burma, as her father was the commander of the Burma Independence Army. 
Tragedy struck the family exactly 1 month after Suu Kyi's second 
birthday when General Aung San was assassinated. The family's loss was 
mourned by the entire nation.
  As Burma's military leaders were to find out decades later, Suu Kyi 
has freedom and justice coursing through her veins. She has been a 
tireless advocate for the rights and welfare of the Burmese people and 
has sacrificed--along with other Burmese democrats--much in struggle 
for democracy in Burma.
  Suu Kyi is a symbol of courage and determination for the world's 
oppressed. She is a shining example that principles are stronger than 
repression. Suu Kyi and other democrats have yet to surrender to the 
State Peace and Development Council, SPDC, despite relentless attempts 
by the junta to bend and break their will.
  How is Suu Kyi celebrating her 58th birthday? Most likely, she is 
not. I suspect she is alone and in Insein prison.
  In the wake of a violent ambush by the junta on her convoy on May 30, 
Suu Kyi was arrested by the SPDC. Although U.N. Special Envoy Razali 
briefly saw her 2 weeks ago--and conveyed to an anxious world that she 
was not physically injured in the attack--we haven't seen or heard from 
her since.
  The International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, requested a 
meeting with Suu Kyi, but the thugs in Rangoon refused. Unbelievable, 
outrageous--but not surprising considering the regime's track record.
  It should not be lost on anyone that the denial of an ICRC visit 
means Suu Kyi is being treated worse than a prisoner of war.
  The best gift the free world can give Suu Kyi on her birthday is a 
full court press on the junta. Sanctions, import bans, and statements 
condemning the SPDC's outrageous actions will help buoy the spirits of 
the Burmese people and confirm that the international community is on 
their side.
  The best gift the administration can give Suu Kyi is an import ban 
and the downgrading of diplomatic relations with the SPDC. The White 
House should not wait for the House to act on its legislation but 
should implement a ban on imports immediately.
  Finally, the best gift I can give Suu Kyi is a commitment to continue 
to stand with her and the people of Burma for as long as it takes for 
freedom's triumph. She and her compatriots continue to be in my 
thoughts and prayers.

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