Former U.S. President George W. Bush welcomes the release of Aug San Suu Kyi

Former U.S. President George W. Bush welcomes the release of Aug San Suu Kyi

2010-11-14 01:31:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

DALLAS, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) -- Former U.S. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush on Saturday welcomed the release of pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aug San Suu Kyi, who was released on Saturday after years under house arrest in Myanmar (Burma).

Suu Kyi was released on Saturday afternoon at around 5 p.m. local time (10.30 GMT) after authorities read her the release order. She emerged from her house soon after to greet hundreds of supporters who had gathered to welcome her release.

"We must work together, united, to achieve our goal," she said, addressing a cheering crowd. "If you want to hear me, please come tomorrow at noon to my office," she added.

The international community immediately welcomed the release, but cautioned that concerns remain. Former First Lady Laura Bush welcomed the news on behalf of her husband, former U.S. President George W. Bush.

"Today Burma's democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi was released from years of unlawful detention," Laura Bush said, referring to election results in 1990 which showed Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) as the winner, although the results were dismissed by the military junta. "President Bush and I join with those around the world celebrating her freedom and urge for her release to be without condition," the former First Lady said.

Laura Bush said that she and her husband support the aspirations of the Burmese people, including the demands for basic human rights such as freedom of speech, worship, and assembly. "Daw Suu Kyi's peaceful protest is an example for the strength of nonviolent opposition," she said. "We fervently hope that the day of a free Burma for all its citizens is soon a reality."

Some 2,100 political opponents remain imprisoned in Myanmar.

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