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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">October 12, 2007 <i>(1:30 p.m. EDT)</i><br>
No. 141</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">CANADA WELCOMES STATEMENT BY THE UNITED NATIONS
SECURITY COUNCIL ON BURMA</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made the following
remarks on the United Nations Security Council statement on Burma:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada welcomes the United Nations Security Council statement on Burma, which
strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators and emphasizes
the importance of the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees. It
also calls for an inclusive national reconciliation with the direct support of the UN.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“It is essential that the Security Council continue to support ongoing efforts to address
the situation in Burma. We recognize, in particular, the importance of unity among
Security Council members. We welcome the Security Council’s reaffirmation of its
strong and unwavering support for the mission of the Secretary-General’s Special
Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, as well as its recognition of the resolution adopted by the
Human Rights Council on October 2, 2007. Canada calls on the Government of Burma
to facilitate the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in
Myanmar, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">“Canada continues to condemn the use of force by Burmese authorities against
peaceful protesters. We renew our call for the Government of Burma to release all
political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to respect the human rights and
fundamental freedoms of the people of Burma, and to engage in a genuine dialogue
with members of the democratic opposition.”</span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">- 30 -</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">For further information, media representatives may contact:</span></span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt">Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada<br>
613-995-1874<br>
</span></span><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071116100737/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="color: #000000"></span></span></span></p>
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