06 May 2003
Boucher Says Leaders Continue to Oppress Burmese People
(May 6 statement on situation in Burma) (520)
One year after the release of Burmese democracy activist and Nobel
Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest, the military rulers
of Burma continue to oppress their people, State Department Spokesman
Richard Boucher said in a May 6 statement.
"A year after Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest, it is past
time for the people of Burma to enjoy basic rights and economic
development," Boucher said. "We call on the regime to take its own
declarations seriously and move on toward the restoration of
multiparty democracy."
Boucher said it is the policy of the United States "to support the
National League for Democracy as it tries to restore democracy to
Burma, and we applaud Aung San Suu Kyi's unwavering determination."
Following is the text of Boucher's May 6 statement on Burma:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 6, 2003
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Burma - Freedom for the People
Exactly one year ago, Burma's Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,
the leader of the National League for Democracy, was released from her
second lengthy period of house arrest. Unfortunately, the regime has
made little progress toward national reconciliation since then.
In the last 12 months Aung San Suu Kyi has traveled widely and seen
the support she garners even in far-flung corners of the country. Her
party has opened offices across the nation, rebuilding its
capabilities and making new contacts.
However, the rulers of Burma have continued to oppress people,
harassed Aung San Suu Kyi on her travels, and limited her party's
activities. The regime has been unwilling to begin substantive
dialogue with the democratic opposition toward national
reconciliation. The regime continues to monitor prisoners released
from unjust imprisonment, to restrict their freedoms, and to
discriminate against their families. While we welcome the recent
release of Dr. Salai Tun Than and approximately 20 other political
prisoners, more than a thousand political prisoners remain behind bars
under terrible conditions, with many in bad health. The junta has also
failed to work in good faith with United Nations Special Envoy Tan Sri
Razali Ismail.
As President Bush said in a statement dated April 14, Aung San Suu
Kyi's courage has earned her the admiration and friendship of
countries around the world. It is the policy of the United States to
support the National League for Democracy as it tries to restore
democracy to Burma, and we applaud Aung San Suu Kyi's unwavering
determination.
May 27 will mark the anniversary of another disappointment in Burma.
Thirteen years ago multiparty elections were held, and the National
League for Democracy won 80 percent of the seats, but they were never
allowed to form a parliament.
A year after Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest, it is past
time for the people of Burma to enjoy basic rights and economic
development. We call on the regime to take its own declarations
seriously and move on toward the restoration of multiparty democracy.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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