A Ray of Hope

Got some great news in an e-mail yesterday and had to share it with you. Myanmar (formerly Burma) has bowed to the pressure of neighboring nations and agreed to release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest.

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) has recently abandoned its policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states and pressed Myanmar’s ruling junta to release Suu Kyi from house arrest and institute democratic reforms in the country ruled by a military junta for close to two decades.

Aung San Suu Kyi is most famous for her push for democracy and civil rights in Burma and for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She has been kept under house arrest off and on since 1989.

This is a great moment for the people of Burma. On a personal note, I have travelled to Burma and I can tell you that Burma is a land filled with beautiful and friendly people. And I'm not just saying that because my wife is Burmese.

I want to thank the ASEAN for their work in this matter. Hopefully they will maintain the pressure on Burma's military junta and open the door to democracy for the people of Burma.

For a brief history of Burma, you can click here.

And to send a letter of gratitude to the ASEAN, you can click here.