The US Congress has agreed to award its highest honour, the Gold Medal, to detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Suu Kyi, 62, remains under house arrest by the oppressive military regime that controls Burma, casting doubt on her ability to accept the award. The gold medal received final, unanimous approval last night.
"This is a well-deserved honour for a remarkable woman who has led the struggle for freedom and democracy in her country," said Mitch McConnell, leader of Republican senators and sponsor of the gold medal effort.
Given George Bush's condemnation of the Burmese leadership, Suu Kyi's award could prove as politically provocative as the October gold medal given to the Dalai Lama.
Bush praised the Tibetan spiritual leader and attended his award ceremony, provoking an angry response from the Chinese government.
Suu Kyi's Burmese political party, the National League for Democracy, prevailed in parliamentary elections in 1990, two years after the military regime took over the country. Instead of recognising her victory, however, the regime jailed her and cut off nearly all of her ability to communicate with her supporters.
The congressional gold medal is awarded to outstanding scientists, artists, and other notable US personalities. Past winners include Tony Blair, Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II.
Suu Kyi received the presidential Medal of Freedom, the gold medal's counterpart award, in 2000.
