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Skriven 2007-05-17 23:31:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0705179) for Thu, 2007 May 17
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Statement on Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2007

Statement on Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma

˙˙White House News


President Bush today signed a notification to Congress of his intent to
continue the national emergency with respect to Burma and the associated
sanctions. This step is an indication of the President's serious concern
over the continued deterioration of the situation in Burma and his
determination to stand with those who are struggling to end tyranny in that
country.

In recent weeks, the Burmese junta has stepped up its attacks on ethnic
populations, producing even greater refugee flows; has used its mass member
organization to conduct attacks on and extra-legally detain citizens in
Irrawaddy Division and in Rangoon; has continued to harass and detain
peaceful democracy activists; and has arrested students and others seeking
to pray at pagodas for the release of political prisoners, including Nobel
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. These recent actions take place against a
backdrop of ongoing grave human rights violations, including the use of
rape as a weapon against civilian populations and conscription of child
soldiers.

As the 17th anniversary of the 1990 elections approaches, it is clear that
the junta is becoming only more brutal, more repressive, and more
indifferent to the concerns of its neighbors and the international
community. We urge the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to
immediately and unconditionally release Aung San Suu Kyi and all political
prisoners so that a genuine dialogue between all stakeholders may begin and
national reconciliation may start in earnest. We also urge all nations, and
especially Burma's neighbors, to condemn unequivocally the SPDC's continued
unwillingness to move forward on its own promises to return the nation to
democratic rule.

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