For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 6, 2002
U.S. Welcomes Release of Burma's Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Statement by the President
The United States welcomes the release from house arrest of Burma's
Nobel Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party won an overwhelming
victory in elections in 1990 but was never allowed to assume power. We
hope her release will be "a new dawn" for Burma, as Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi told her supporters earlier today, and lead to national
reconciliation and a restoration of democracy. All parties should
seize this opportunity to press ahead with the urgent work of restoring
the rule of law and basic political and civil rights for all Burmese.
Only a return to democracy and reintegration with the international
community can bring the freedom and prosperity which the people of
Burma both long for and deserve.
The United States will closely monitor the situation within Burma
as this process unfolds. We will also consult with ASEAN, Japan, the
European Union and other partners on how the international community
can most effectively encourage further progress toward restoration of
democracy. I compliment UN Special Envoy Razali Ismael for his
tireless efforts to promote reconciliation within Burma and for helping
to facilitate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release.
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