Mizzima News

In the most awaited annual public address of the U.S. Head of State, President Bush has singled out the Burmese people as an example of a population struggling for freedom and worthy of America's support.

The State of the Union Address, delivered Monday night by the President, defined America's role in the world as "using its influence to build a freer, more hopeful and more compassionate world. This is a reflection of our national interest and the calling of our conscience."

"America is opposing genocide in Sudan and supporting freedom in countries from Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and Burma," Bush told members of Congress and select guests at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

The President and the First Lady, Laura Bush, have been outspoken critics of the Burmese regime for several years and have led the push to maximize pressure against Burma's ruling generals to change their ways and usher in an era of democratic governance in Burma.

The remarks referring to Burma came toward the end of the portion of the speech devoted to foreign policy, and the notion of freedom was closely linked to the ongoing war against terrorism.

Despite the events in Burma in 2007, and the global media coverage and outrage that ensued, the Middle East, especially Iran and Iraq, received a vast majority of the President's attention with respect to U.S. foreign policy.

This, the last State of the Union address to be given by the Bush presidency, was considerably less dynamic and robust when speaking of what the U.S. can achieve in the realm of foreign policy. Previous language referring to the deliverance of freedom to oppressed peoples was this year substituted by talk of providing hope.

The Burmese junta has long accused the United States of supporting opposition forces and parties hostile to the ruling military regime.

Burma was first mentioned in a State of the Union address two years ago, when Bush, speaking of those living under undemocratic regimes, said: "We do not forget the other half -- in places like Syria and Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Iran -- because the demands of justice, and the peace of this world, require their freedom, as well."