Bush to Raise Burma Issue During Asia Trip - 2003-10-15

U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice says President Bush will bring up the case of detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his upcoming trip to Asia.

Ms. Rice told reporters in Washington that Mr. Bush will talk, in her words, "quite a lot" about the need for freedom in Burma. She said the United States is in constant contact with U.N. officials about the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Nobel Laureate was detained by Burma's military rulers last May. She remains under house arrest after a brief hospitalization.

Mr. Bush begins his six-country Asia tour Friday with a visit to Japan. He will also visit the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Australia, as well as attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Thailand.

Information for this report is provided by AFP.