Bush, Burmese Activists Meet; Vow To End Tyranny In Burma

August 7, 2008 11:43 a.m. EST

Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - President George W. Bush met with Burmese activists on Thursday in Bangkok, the second stop of what many believe is his last tour of Asia before he leaves office next year.

"The American people care deeply about the people of Burma, and we pray for the day in which the people will be free," Bush said during a luncheon with activists at the Burmese Ambassador's Residence.

The meeting was held on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the 8888 uprising, a massive demonstration that resulted in the deaths of thousands of pro-Democracy activists, university students, government workers and Buddhist monks who were protesting against Burma's regime.

During the luncheon, President Bush was informed by a member of the Women's League of Burma, Lway Aye Nang, that the nation's military dictatorship "continue[s] to commit sustained human rights violations against the ethnic nationality. This includes also rapes. This has been used -- long used as a weapon of war in Burma."

A former student activist, Aung Zaw, also said, "We are very pleased that we have this lunch meeting and this was a very, I think, not only a symbolic meeting, but also send a strong signal to some ASEAN nations, also to China who continue to defend and protect the Burmese military government."

Burma shares its northeastern border with China, which has been widely criticized for its support for the military dictatorship of Senior General Than Shwe. Its most well-known pro-Democracy activist is Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the National League for Democracy, which has been a government-in-exile since winning a majority of votes in the 1990 national elections.

Earlier Thursday, President Bush said in his remarks on U.S. policy in East Asia, "We seek an end to tyranny in Burma... America reiterates our call on Burma's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners."