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Laura Bush condemns Myanmar abuses

US first lady Laura Bush makes opening remarks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington on Dec. 10 last year during a video teleconference with Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand, regarding the situation in Myanmar. PHOTO: AP

US first lady Laura Bush on Friday urged the world to condemn Myanmar's "shameful abuses" of human rights and urged the country's military rulers to free democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.

"[US] President [George W.] Bush and I ask all nations to join in condemning the military junta for its shameful abuses of basic human rights," she said in a statement marking Myanmar's 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.

Laura Bush has taken an unusual lead role in efforts to push for change in Myanmar, which Washington calls Burma.

"We urge the regime to fulfill its promises to the United Nations Security Council, and to take more than token steps toward meaningful dialogue with Burma's opposition," she said.

The junta led by General Than Shwe "must release Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders, so they can begin the process of national reconciliation," she said.

"Meanwhile, the United States stands with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those working to make sure that by the next January 4, the people of Burma will celebrate real independence," she said.

"[The junta led by General Than Shwe] must release Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders, so they can begin the process of national reconciliation."

Laura Bush, US first lady

In December, the US president threatened to spearhead a global campaign to step up sanctions against Myanmar if it continues to ignore calls for a democratic transition.

At least 31 people were killed and 74 went missing in September peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks were suppressed, according to a UN report.

Bush recently announced new sanctions against Myanmar's military, including an asset freeze on key junta figures and blacklisting of seven companies and five individuals allegedly linked to those companies and the regime.

The first lady accused the junta of having "plundered" Myanmar's natural resources wealth and charged that "hundreds of innocent people remain in jail" and more are being arrested for speaking out against the regime.

"Reports suggest that the Burmese army is now massing in eastern Burma, preparing for a renewed military onslaught against Burma's ethnic minorities," she said.
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