For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 28, 2003
Statement on Burmese Democracy Act
Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and Executive Order
Today, I have signed into law the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act
of 2003 and an executive order sending a clear signal to Burma's ruling
junta that it must release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, along
with all other political prisoners, and move down the path toward
democracy. These measures reaffirm to the people of Burma that the
United States stands with them in their struggle for democracy and
freedom.
The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act is the result of close
cooperation between my Administration and Members of Congress on both
sides of the aisle, especially Senator Mitch McConnell and
Representative Tom Lantos. Among other measures, the legislation bans
the import of Burmese products. The executive order freezes the assets
of senior Burmese officials and bans virtually all remittances to
Burma. By denying these rulers the hard currency they use to fund
their repression, we are providing strong incentives for democratic
change and human rights in Burma.
In May of this year, the Burmese government tightened its grip on
the people of Burma when it organized an attack on the motorcade of
Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for Democracy
(NLD). Since then, Burmese officials have ignored requests from around
the world to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD and
to re-open NLD offices.
The repression of the Burmese regime contributes to problems that
spill across Burma's borders, including refugee flows, narcotics
trafficking, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases. These
problems affect Burma's neighbors, and these nations must play an
important role in resolving the current crisis. I urge the Association
of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to continue to make clear to the
regime that its behavior is inconsistent with ASEAN's standards and
goals. Burma should not be permitted to tarnish ASEAN's record as a
positive force for progress. I also welcome the measures taken by the
European Union and Japan to bring about democratic change in Burma.
The United States will not waver from its commitment to the cause
of democracy and human rights in Burma. The United States has raised
the situation in Burma at the United Nations Security Council, and will
do so again as developments warrant. The world must make clear -?
through word and deed -? that the people of Burma, like people
everywhere, deserve to live in dignity and freedom, under leaders of
their own choosing.
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