NEWS RELEASES

August 29, 2000 (2:00 p.m. EDT) No. 210

CANADA CONDEMNS RESTRICTIONS ON

BURMESE DEMOCRACY LEADER

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan today condemned the treatment of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi by the State Peace and Development Council, who are currently detaining her at a military roadblock on a road leading out of Rangoon. The Nobel laureate was stopped by government forces on August 24, en route to a National League for Democracy (NLD) Party meeting outside the capital.

"I strongly condemn the Burmese military regime for its continued harassment of pro-democracy leaders," said Mr. Axworthy. "This latest incident is a clear violation of Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom of movement and association and we hold the Burmese government fully responsible for her health and safety."

Minister Axworthy has on previous occasions expressed Canada's concern over travel restrictions imposed by the Burmese military authorities on Aung San Suu Kyi. In addition, the Minister discussed human rights violations and democratic reform in Burma with his counterparts, on the margins of ASEAN meetings held in Bangkok, July 26 to 29.

"Canada adamantly opposes the continued human rights violations by the Burmese

regime and its refusal to abide by the results of the 1990 democratic election," said Mr. Chan. "We call on the Burmese authorities to engage in an open and meaningful dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy supporters to bring about real national reconciliation and democratic reform in the country."

Burma's national elections, which took place on May 27, 1990, resulted in a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD Party. Since then, the military regime has refused to honour the election results and has restricted Aung San Suu Kyi's movements.

The Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, who is also accredited to Burma, and other embassy representatives based in Bangkok travel regularly to Rangoon to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi and to convey directly to Burmese authorities Canadian concerns over such issues as increasing repression and harassment of pro-democracy activists.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Jonathan Yendall

Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)

(613) 995-1852

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874