[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S7947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI

  Mr. McConnell. Mr. President, this past weekend produced the first 
heartening news out of Burma in recent memory. Coming just days after 
the junta held its charade-like elections, this past Saturday Aung San 
Suu Kyi was released from house arrest where she had spent 15 of the 
past 21 years.
  While fellow advocates of democracy in Burma rightly rejoice in her 
being freed, our feelings of joy and relief are tempered by several 
sobering concerns. First, there is the matter of her safety. We all 
remember the brutal attack against her in 2003. That must not be 
permitted to happen again. Second, we know Suu Kyi has been released in 
the past only to be later detained on trumped-up charges. We want her 
release to be permanent, not temporary. Third, although she was granted 
unconditional release, it remains to be seen whether the regime will 
tolerate her active participation in public affairs. And that is 
essential for Burma to undertake any meaningful progress toward 
democracy. Finally, while Suu Kyi has been released from detention, 
more than 2,000 other prisoners of conscience remain imprisoned in 
Burma. Only when all are unconditionally freed can the people of Burma 
truly begin the process of democratic reform and reconciliation.
  Make no mistake, the release of Suu Kyi is a positive step forward in 
Burma. Yet it is only the first--and by no means the final--step that 
must take place in that beleaguered country.

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