Senator Mitch McConnell Calls on State Department to Initiate Full Court Press in Support of Aung San Suu Kyi

Senator Mitch McConnell Calls On State Department To Initiate Full Court Press In Support Of Aung San Suu Kyi

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today issued the following statement calling on the State Peace and Development Council to release Aung San Suu Kyi:

"The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is responsible for the health and welfare of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Her detention - and that of her fellow democrats - continues to be a grave concern to the U.S. Congress. She and all prisoners of conscience in Burma should be immediately and unconditionally released. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must have immediate access to Suu Kyi to determine her condition and provide medical assistance, if needed.

"The State Department must initiate a full court press to support Suu Kyi. Secretary Powell must make clear to the SPDC - and ASEAN member states, China, Japan, India, as well as our partners in the European Union - that Suu Kyi's health and welfare is a top priority of the United States.

"To this end, the State Department must engage Burmese diplomats throughout the region, and a strong message in support of freedom in Burma must be delivered."