8/27 AP: Democrats Honor Mondale

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/* Written  6:15 PM  Aug 26, 1996 by mcs@xxxxxxxxxxxx in igc:soc.cult.burma */
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Democrats Honor Mondale =


By DAVID BRISCOE Associated Press Writer =

Monday, August 26, 1996 8:20 pm EDT =


CHICAGO (AP) -- The image and voice of Burmese opposition leader Aung =

San Suu Kyi brought standing ovations Monday to a hall thousands of miles =

from the country she will not leave. =


More than 700 diplomats, foreign officials and Democratic leaders honored =

Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi and former Vice President Walter =

Mondale with the W. Averell Harriman Democracy awards. =


``We in the movement for democracy are facing a lot of difficulties,'' Suu =

Kyi said in a videotaped address. ``The military regime which promised to =

lead Burma to multiparty democracy is doing everything it can to crush the =

movement.'' =


Suu Kyi was released from six years of house arrest last year and speaks =

often to supporters. =


But her husband, Michael Aris, said he hasn't been allowed to visit her =

since December. Suu Kyi refuses to leave Burma for fear she would not be =

allowed to return. =


Mondale, now U.S. ambassador to Japan, rejected the idea that Asia is not =

suited for democracy. In a brief speech, he said Suu Kyi ``symbolizes =

courage.'' =


The award, named for the former New York governor and diplomat, is given =

by the National Democratic Institute, an arm of the party. =


=A9 Copyright 1996 The Associated Press