NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY CALLS FOR RELEASE OF BURMESE DETAINEES
September 30, 1996 No. 177
AXWORTHY CALLS FOR RELEASE OF BURMESE DETAINEES
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today called on Burma's ruling State Law
and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) to release immediately all detained members
of the National League for Democracy (NLD), and to allow the NLD party congress to
be held without further interference or intimidation.
"This latest crackdown is further evidence that the international community needs
to work harder and co-operatively to encourage Burma's military regime to commit
itself to a genuine dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and the pro-democracy
movement," said Mr. Axworthy. "This dialogue is an essential step toward national
reconciliation and democratic reform in Burma."
Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan called on the military regime "to
stop its repressive tactics that prevent the people of Burma from exercising their
basic political rights."
Canada has repeatedly expressed its concern over the actions taken by Burma's
military rulers against Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the pro-democracy
movement. At the Jakarta ASEAN meetings last July, Mr. Axworthy proposed the
establishment of a contact group under United Nations or other auspices, to open
the lines of communication with the SLORC and make it more accountable to the
international community.
- 30 -
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
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
| 
