Mar 10, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush on Monday paid tribute to
women who have defied the governments of Belarus, Cuba and Myanmar,
promising US help as they "stand up for the freedom of their people."
He honored the wife of jailed Belarus opposition leader Alexander
Kozulin, Irina, who died of cancer last month, aged 48; ailing Cuban
dissident Marta Beatríz Roque Cabello; and Myanmar democracy icon Aung
San Suu Kyi.
"Americans are inspired by the examples of these women," Bush said. "We
will continue to support their work, and the work of women across the
world who stand up for the freedom of their people."
The US president's remarks came during a White House ceremony marking
Women's History Month.
Bush charged that the refusal of the Belarus government -- which he has
called the last dicatorship in Europe -- to release Alexander Kozulin to
be with his wife on her death bed was "the definition of brutality."
"And the United States calls upon that government to release Alexander
Kazulin immediately, just like they ought to release every other
political prisoner in Belarus," said the US president.
Turning to Cuba, Bush praised Marta Beatríz Roque Cabello, saying she
had survived Fidel Castro's "dungeons" and that she "knows that freedom
is not going to come to Cuba by trading one oppressive Castro regime for
another" -- a refered to Castro's handover of power to his brother Raul.
"And today I have a message for the people of Cuba: Viene el día de su
libertad. Your day of freedom is coming. And until that day, the United
States will stand with all the dissidents working together to bring
freedom to Cuba, including a brave woman named Marta Beatríz Roque
Cabello," said Bush.
The US president also hailed Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition to the
Myanmar ruling junta's "dangerously flawed constitution" and noted that
she has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest.
"Aung San Suu Kyi has said to the American people: 'Please use your
liberty to promote ours.' We're doing all we can, and we will continue
to do so until the tide of freedom reaches the Burmese shores, and frees
this good, strong woman," said Bush.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iEAZJAdTEPbgofcWLVEHpauSQLQg
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