Laura, US senators call for release of Suu Kyi

Washington, May 25: US First Lady Laura Bush, senators and the State Department called for the unconditional release of Burmese opposition and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained under house arrest for nearly 17 years by Burma's military junta.

''I really would like Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to know that the women of the US Senate, as well as the women of the United States stand with her,'' Laura Bush said at a meeting convened to launch the US Senate Women's Caucus on Burma.

Senators from both parties called for the release of Nobel Peace Prize Aung San Suu Kyi's and initiation of reconciliation talks between the regime and the National League for Democracy, the party she leads.

''I applaud senators from both sides of the aisle for coming together to address Burma,'' Laura Bush said in a statement released before the meeting. ''Against the backdrop of ongoing human rights violations, I add my voice to theirs in urging the restoration of a democratic government and the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Aung San Suu Kyi,'' the first lady said.

The United Nations estimates there are more than a thousand political prisoners being held in Burma. Although the National League for Democracy won a decisive election in 1990, the Burmese military junta refused to acknowledge the victory and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi and other party leaders.

The senators asked for renewal of a complete ban on imports to Burma and urged the UN Security Council to pass a binding resolution on Burma.

State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said, ''The United States calls on the regime to cease all violations of human rights, release all political prisoners and initiate a genuine political dialogue with all elements of Burmese society towards national reconciliation and transition to democratic rule.'' Aung San Suu Kyi's most recent term of house arrest comes up for review on May 27.

UNI

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