[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 23 (Monday, June 9, 2003)]
[Pages 710-711]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Detention of
Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma

June 2, 2003

    I am deeply concerned by reports from Burma of the detention of Aung 
San Suu Kyi and members of her political party as well as reports that 
military authorities have closed her party headquarters in Rangoon. The 
military authorities should release Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters 
immediately and permit her party headquarters to re-open.
    The situation in Burma has long been of concern to the United 
States. We have urged Burmese officials to release all political 
prisoners and to offer their people a better way of life, a life 
offering freedom and economic progress. We welcomed the release of Aung 
San Suu Kyi from house arrest more than a year ago. This step gave the 
military regime an opportunity to enter into a substantive dialog with 
Aung San Suu Kyi and all political groups to promote national 
reconciliation and democracy. This is still the only path to peace and 
prosperity for all of Burma's people.

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