Washington, D.C. – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) released the following statement amid growing signs of a landslide victory for Burma’s pro-democracy party, the National League for Democracy, in Sunday's election:                          

“Today all signs point to a landslide victory for the National League for Democracy and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has long advocated for democratic ideals and human rights.  The idea of freedom and self-government seems to have prevailed. 

“Moving forward, I hope the NLD’s rule will ensure equality for all people in Burma.  This includes the Rohingya Muslims, who have been subjected to deplorable acts of violence and oppression under the current regime.  It should be the new government’s priority to empower the Rohingya – who’ve been stripped of their citizenship and barred from voting in this election – and other ethnic groups so that Burma can continue on the path towards democracy. 

“Meanwhile, it is critical that remaining ballots be counted accurately, and expeditiously.  If the current ruling party or military meddles in this process, or rejects the results, I don’t see why we’d continue economic assistance.”

NOTE: Today Burma’s army chief released a statement pledging “co-operation with the new government during this post-election period.”

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