President Barack Obama

Ramadan Message from President Obama

Washington, DC.
August 21, 2009

As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world. (Full text)

U.S. Marks World Humanitarian Day, Announces Additional Aid

Washington DC
August 19, 2009

U.S. officials marked the first World Humanitarian Day by announcing an additional $160 million to support global aid work and calling for governments and parties in conflict areas around the world to pay attention to the safety of humanitarian workers.(Full text)

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, A New Course in the World, a New Approach at the UN

USUN Press Release
New York
August 12, 2009

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, At New York University's Center for Global Affairs and Center on International Cooperation, "A New Course in the World, a New Approach at the UN", August 12, 2009 (Full text)

White House, Washington DC

Statement by Press Secretary on the Release of John Yettaw

Washington DC
August 17, 2009

The President is pleased that Senator Webb has facilitated the release of American citizen John Yettaw from detention in Burma. He appreciates this decision by the Burmese government.(Full text)

Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley

U.S. Welcomes Release of American Citizen from Burmese Prison

Washington DC
August 17, 2009

The Obama administration is grateful to U.S. Senator Jim Webb for his efforts in gaining the release of American John Yettaw from prison in Burma, but the State Department says Yettaw’s release will not affect its ongoing review of U.S. policy toward Burma. (Full text)

U.S. Senator Jim Webb

U.S. Senator Jim Webb visits Burma

U.S. Embassy, Rangoon
August 17, 2009

U.S. Senator Jim Webb visited Burma on August 14-16 and met with Senior General Than Shwe, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and others. Senator Webb, who is Chair of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was the first United States Member of Congress to visit Burma in more than ten years. To hear an audio recording of his August 16 press conference in Rangoon, click here. To visit Senator Webb’s official website, click here.

President Barack Obama

Statement by the President Obama on Aung San Suu Kyi’s conviction and sentencing

Washington, DC.
August 11, 2009

The conviction and sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi today on charges related to an uninvited intrusion into her home violate universal principles of human rights, run counter to Burma’s commitments under the ASEAN charter, and demonstrate continued disregard for UN Security Council statements. (Full text)

Statement by the Secretary of State on Aung San Suu Kyi

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo
August 11, 2009

The Burmese junta should immediately end its repression of so many in this country, start a dialogue with the oppositon and the ethnic groups. Otherwise the elections they have scheduled for next year will have absolutely no legitimacy. (Full text)

Ambassador Susan E.Rice

Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice

USUN PRESS RELEASE
August 11, 2009

The United States will join with others in introducing a statement for consideration by the Council that condemns the conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi, that calls for her immediate release and ability to participate in the political process. (Full text)

Anniversary of the 1988 Popular Democratic Uprising in Burma

Robert Wood
Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC.
August 7, 2009

Today, the United States recalls the patriotism and bravery of the people of Burma, who twenty-one years ago rose up in peaceful protest to call for democracy and justice in their country. In the more than two decades that have passed, thousands of activists, monks, and ordinary Burmese citizens have followed in their footsteps. (Full text)

Press Availability at the ASEAN Summit

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Phuket, Thailand
July 22, 2009

“The Burmese Government says that they intend to have elections next year. There’s no way they could have credible elections while they are imprisoning her [Aung San Suu Kyi] and other political prisoners. So we think this is an opportune time to try to make that clear again not just from us, but from the entire region.”(Full text)

Secretary Clinton speaks with reporters at the ASEAN meeting July 22 in Phuket, Thailand

United States Concerned About North Korea’s Ties to Burma

There is growing concern that North Korea is establishing military cooperation with Burma, which could destabilize the region, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.“We know that there are … growing concerns about military cooperation between North Korea and Burma, which we take very seriously,” Clinton said July 21 at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu. “It would pose a direct threat to Burma’s neighbors. And it is something as a treaty ally of Thailand that we are taking very seriously.”(Full text)

Burmese Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi

The United States sends its best wishes to Aung San Suu Kyi on the occasion of her 64th birthday on June 19. She continues to inspire those who support freedom and democracy in Burma and around the world. Sadly, though, Aung San Suu Kyi will once again spend her birthday in confinement – isolated from her family, friends, and the Burmese people – as Burmese authorities pursue unjustified and indefensible charges against her.(Full text)

Trafficking in Persons Report 2009

Burma is a source country for women, children, and men trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation.(Full text) (Burmese translation)

Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and Indonesia's Foreign Mininster Hassan Wirajuda at their news conference in Washington, June 8, 2009 (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Remarks With Indonesian Foreign Minister Noer Hassan Wirajuda After Their Meeting

We also discussed the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi. Let me again reiterate that the charges against her are baseless, and we call for her immediate release. Indonesia, like other ASEAN countries, have also spoken out about her plight and urged her immediate release, and we greatly appreciate that. (Full text)

President Barack Obama at Cairo University, Egypt

President Obama’s Remarks at Cairo University, Egypt

I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. (Full text) (Video File Download)

President Barack Obama, President of the United States

Statement by the President on Aung San Suu Kyi’s House Arrest and Detention

White House
Washington, DC
May 26, 2009

I call on the Burmese government to release National League for Democracy Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from detention immediately and unconditionally. I strongly condemn her house arrest and detention, which have also been condemned around the world. (Full text)

Secretary Clinton with the Malaysian Foreign Minister (AP Photo)

Secretary Clinton: Remarks With the Malaysian Foreign Minister After Their Meeting

Treaty Room
Washington, DC
May 14, 2009

I am deeply troubled by the Burmese Government decision to charge Aung San Suu Kyi for a baseless crime. It comes just before the six-year anniversary of her house arrest, and it is not in keeping with the rule of law, the ASEAN charter, or efforts to promote national reconciliation and progress in Burma. (Full text)

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN

Statement by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, on Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (PDF)

I am deeply concerned about Aung San Suu Kyi current situation and the new charges being levied against her for supposedly violating the terms of her house arrest. The U.S. Government calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the more than 2,100 other political prisoners currently held by the Burmese regime. (Full text)

Anniversary of Cyclone Nargis

U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
April 29, 2009

On May 2, 2008, Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, devastating much of the Irrawaddy Delta, wiping out entire villages, and leaving at least 138,000 people dead or missing. As we near the first anniversary, we remember those who died and offer our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones. We also honor the bravery and sacrifice of the Burmese people who have worked tirelessly alongside the United States and the international community to help their neighbors attempt to rebuild their lives. (Full text)

World Malaria Day

Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy
Rangoon, Burma
April 25, 2009

World Malaria Day is observed April 25 to call attention to the disease and to mobilize action to combat it.  The U.S. has taken extraordinary steps to curb the spread of this preventable and curable disease, including in Burma. (Full text)

Chargé d’Affaires Larry Dinger

U.S. Government Donates Over 16,000 Tons of Rice to Nargis Victims

U.S. Embassy
Rangoon, Burma
April 2, 2009

On April 1, 2009, Chargé d’Affaires Larry Dinger and Embassy staff traveled to several villages in the Delta to observe the distribution of 16,620 metric tons of rice donated by the U.S. government and talk with beneficiaries about their priorities for recovery. As part of America's commitment to the welfare of the Burmese people, the U.S. government has contributed a total of $74 million in humanitarian assistance to victims of Cyclone Nargis in the period since May 2008. (Full text)