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"US urges Burma to grant visa to Suu Kyi's dying husband"

"The Asian Age" Newspaper
Date March 20, 1999.

Washington, March 19: The United States on Thursday urged Burma's rulers
to grant a visa to the dying husband of Opposition leader Aung San Suu
Kyi, so he can visit her.
Military authorities should make a "humanitarian gesture and permit Dr
Michael Aris to visit his wife before his illness worsens," the state
department said in a statement.
Denying Dr Aris a visa to visit his wife, particularly under these
tragic circumstances, demonstrates a complete lack of compassion," it
said. Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's family "have made tremendous personal
sacrifices over the past decade in supporting (her) efforts to bring
about democracy and respect for human rights" in the nation, it added.
Washington said that it was working closely with other concerned
governments and through the United Nations "to impress upon the regime,
the importance of responding positively and urgently to this
humanitarian situation". The European Union has also urged Burma to
grant the British academy a visa.
Dr Aris, who reportedly has terminal prostate cancer, has not seen his
wife since January 1996.
Burma said on Thursday that it was reluctant to grant his request while
trying to goad the Nobel laureate into flying to his side, despite her
fears she would be forced into exile.
The authorities said that they were "surprised" that Dr Aris wanted to
visit Burma despite his grave condition. "To undertake a trip to Burma
under such conditions would appear irresponsible and inhuman, and the
government is reluctant to encourage or endorse such an action," said
the statement.
"As a more sensible alternative, the government of Burma suggests that
Ms Suu Kyi who is in perfect health travel to England to respond to her
husband's dying wish to see her," it said.
Sources in Burma have said it was extremely unlikely that the head of
the Burma Opposition would agree to leave the country.
Dr Aris, a professor at Oxford University, and Ms Aung San Suu Kyi were
married in 1972. They lived in Bhutan before returning to Oxford before
the birth of their two sons.
Her Opposition National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in
elections in 1990, but the government has refused to hand over power and

has conducted a long campaign against the party.  (AFP)