Washington, DC —U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday that he will be visiting Burma early next week. During the trip, Senator McConnell will be meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese government officials and U.S. Embassy personnel.  The Senator plans to discuss political reform, bilateral relations and regional security issues with Suu Kyi and the Burmese leaders.  Senator McConnell will arrive in Burma on Sunday, January 15, 2012 and return to the United States on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

Sen. McConnell has and continues to be a strong advocate for political reform, reconciliation and democracy in Burma.  Every year since 2003, Senator McConnell, along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, has introduced and enacted legislation placing sanctions on the Burmese government.  He also consistently called for the release of Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.  Since her release, Senator McConnell has spoken with Suu Kyi several times on the phone.  This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two.