ANTOS SPEAKS AT CELEBRATION OF WOME

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Subject: ANTOS SPEAKS AT CELEBRATION OF WOMEN OF BURMA DAY


FILE ID:97061901.TDH
DATE:06/19/97
TITLE:19-06-97  LANTOS SPEAKS AT CELEBRATION OF WOMEN OF BURMA DAY

TEXT:
(Honors Aung San Suu Kyi on 52nd Birthday) (350)
By David Pitts
USIA Staff Writer

Washington -- Congressman Tom Lantos (D-California) has paid tribute
to Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi
on her 52nd birthday, saying she gives encouragement by her example to
human rights defenders all over the world.

In remarks read by his wife at a Capitol Hill ceremony June 19 to mark
Women of Burma Day, Lantos, who is co-chair of the Congressional Human
Rights Caucus, said, "I am happy to celebrate the birthday of one of
the world's most outstanding human rights leaders." Aung San Suu Kyi
"has long inspired people beyond the confines of Burma," he added.

No matter how much the military junta in Burma "may try to intimidate"
Aung San Suu Kyi, "she will never be silenced and the people of Burma
will stand with her," Lantos continued.

Lantos' remarks were read before a number of Burmese women who have
been active in the opposition movement against the military government
in Burma. "The women at the ceremony represent this struggle for human
rights in Burma," Lantos said. He emphasized that women have been in
the forefront of the struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma
and some have endured rape, torture, enforced prostitution and even
murder in the cause of the struggle there.

Although Aung San Suu Kyi is now no longer under arrest and is
politically active in Burma, she suffered five years of house
detention following her victory in the 1990 elections, which was
nullified by the military. She was released in 1995.

Last May, the Clinton administration imposed additional economic
sanctions on Burma because of human rights abuses and repression of
the pro-democracy movement. New American investment there was banned
and the administration said it will contemplate further action if the
junta's record is not improved. The situation in Burma is expected to
be raised at the Denver economic summit later this week.
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