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<title>AXWORTHY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON BURMESE REFUGEE CAMP</title>
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<p><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">March 12, 1998 No. 53</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">AXWORTHY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON BURMESE </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">REFUGEE CAMP</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today condemned yesterday's attack on a
Burmese refugee camp near Mae Sot on the Thai-Burma border, and expressed deep
concern for the victims and their families. He also welcomed the Thai
government's assertion that it will do its utmost to prevent such attacks in the
future. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Burmese Ambassador to Canada has been called in by the Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade to be advised of the Government of Canada's
condemnation of this act.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"Canada is appalled by the cross-border attack on Burmese refugees in Thailand, a
painful reminder of the Burmese government's continued abuse of its citizens,"
said Minister Axworthy. "In addition to transgressing international boundaries,
the attack represents an unacceptable violation of basic human rights."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">On March 11, 1998, Burmese military forces, supported by a group of Karens allied
with them, destroyed the Huay Kalok refugee camp in Thailand. Current reports
indicate that four people were killed, 39 wounded, and thousands of refugees left
without shelter. </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We urge the Burmese military regime to make a commitment to democratic reform
and to its own stated objective of national reconciliation," said Raymond Chan,
Secretary of State </font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(Asia-Pacific).</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Government of Canada has repeatedly condemned all actions by Burma's military
regime that deny basic human rights to the people of Burma. Canada suspended
bilateral aid to Burma following the 1988 massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators
in Rangoon. On August 7, 1997, Canada adopted further economic measures to
underscore its concerns over the suppression of political freedoms. Since 1992,
Canada has provided $685 000 in aid to Burmese refugees in Thailand.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Courier">- 30 -For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Debora Brown</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1851</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Hilary Humphrey</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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