NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY CALLS FOR RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS BY MYANMAR
May 23, 1996 No. 96
AXWORTHY CALLS FOR RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS BY
MYANMAR
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today called on the Government of the
Union of Myanmar to release all detained members of the National League for
Democracy (NLD).
"This is an opportunity for Myanmar to show that it is prepared to begin the
process of real democratization," said Mr. Axworthy. "The detention of members of
the National League for Democracy sends quite the opposite message."
The Minister said that Canada had expressed its concerns directly to the Myanmar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that it had called upon the State Law and Order
Restoration Council of the Union of Myanmar to allow the NLD full freedom to
pursue its activities. The first step in this regard would be to release
immediately all detainees and political prisoners so that they can attend the
planned NLD conference on May 25-26.
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan commented: "By this latest action,
the Myanmar regime is continuing to show its complete intolerance for democratic
freedoms."
Canada, through its Ambassador who is now in Rangoon, has directly reaffirmed its
support to Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu Kyi and the leadership of the
NLD.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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