- Title: US position on Myanmar unchanged by partial pardon of Suu Kyi
- Date: 1st August 2023
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (AUGUST 1, 2023) (STATE TV) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, MATTHEW MILLER ANSWERING ANOTHER QUESTION (NOT A SOUNDBITE) JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION ON MYANMAR'S SUU KYI (NOT A SOUNDBITE) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, MATTHEW MILLER, SAYING: "I would say that, no, it (eds note: refers to the partial pardon granted to jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi) does not change our position. We remain deeply concerned by the Burma military regime's extension of the state of emergency, which will only prolong the violence and delay a just and peaceful resolution to the current crisis. We have repeatedly called on the military to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, deposed president Win Myint, and all the others unjustly detained, something they have not done. And we continue to urge the regime to end its violence, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, seek justice for survivors, and engage with all stakeholders to pursue a peaceful, just, and democratic future for Burma. So, there are a number of steps that we believe they have yet to take, that they must before we can talk about any change in our posture towards them." (MUTE) MILLER STEPPING AWAY FROM LECTERN AFTER BRIEFING
- Embargoed: 15th August 2023 19:40
- Keywords: Aung San Suu Kyi Myanmar Suu Kyi US coup jail junta military opposition partial pardon sanctions
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,North America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001154701082023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Washington's position on Myanmar has not been changed by the ruling military's partial pardon of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday (August 1), State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.
Miller told a news conference there are still "a number of steps" that the country's ruling military is "yet to take" before the U.S. can change its posture. Miller repeated Washington's call that Suu Kyi be released immediately.
Myanmar's ruling military pardoned on Tuesday Suu Kyi on five of the 19 offenses for which she was convicted but she will remain under house arrest, state media and informed sources said. The pardons mean six years will be shaved off Suu Kyi's 33-year jail term.
Myanmar has been in the throes of bloody turmoil since early 2021 when the military overthrew Suu Kyi's elected government and unleashed a crackdown on opponents of military rule that saw thousands jailed or killed.
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