US Senate passes resolution

From Michele Bohana-

Press Release: Sen. McConnell - Senate Passes Burma Resolution

It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on Thursday on passage of a Senate Resolution on Burma, which condemns the actions of the Burmese State Peace and Development Council against Aung San Suu Kyi and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Suu Kyi:“This resolution reflects the United States Senate’s unequivocal condemnation of the show trial currently being conducted by Burmese officials against Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

“It is bad enough that Suu Kyi has been imprisoned for 13 of the past 19 years. Now the Burmese regime, the State Peace and Development Council, has come up with the flimsiest of pretexts to try to detain her further. It appears the Burmese regime will do anything to consolidate its grip on power. “One suspects that the regime wants Suu Kyi behind bars at least until elections under its sham constitution are held in 2010.

“I am gratified that this resolution reflects the strong, bipartisan view of the Senate on this matter. This resolution, which was authored by Senator Gregg, is cosponsored by Senators Feinstein, Durbin, McCain, Brownback, Lieberman, Collins, Bennett, Bond and me. It is also cosponsored by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Kerry and Lugar.

A clearer signal from this chamber about Suu Kyi could hardly be sent.“As I noted earlier in the week, the members of the Senate have been and will continue to monitor the trial of Suu Kyi with deep concern.”