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<title>GRAHAM DEPLORES LACK OF PROGRESS TOWARD DEMOCRATIC REFORM ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILITARY CRACKDOWN IN BURMA </title>
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<p><font size="+1"></font><font size="+1"><strong></strong></font><font size="+1"><strong>August 8, 2003 <em>(3:35 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 112</strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>GRAHAM DEPLORES LACK OF PROGRESS TOWARD </strong></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font size="+1"><strong>DEMOCRATIC REFORM ON 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF MILITARY CRACKDOWN IN
BURMA</strong> </font></p>
<p>Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today expressed concern that 15 years after the Burmese army killed hundreds of
peaceful demonstrators in Rangoon, the authorities have made no discernable progress toward democratic reform. Just over
two months ago, the leader of Burma's democracy movement, Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was once again
imprisoned by the military regime in an unknown location under unknown charges. Many of her colleagues are also under
detention. </p>
<p>"On this solemn occasion, I continue to urge the military rulers of Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi," said Minister
Graham. "The parallels between that horrible day 15 years ago and the May 30th, 2003, attack on pro-democracy
demonstrators that led to Aung San Suu Kyi's arrest are disturbing. To break this cycle of violence and mistrust, Canada
calls on the regime to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi and her colleagues, and to engage in a substantial dialogue on
democratic reform and national reconciliation."</p>
<p>On July 10, 2003, Minister Graham announced increased measures against Burma, including denying visas to members of
the regime and placing travel restrictions on Burmese diplomats in Canada, to protest the regime's continued detention of
Aung San Suu Kyi and its failure to engage in substantive dialogue on national reconciliation. </p>
<p>Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) David Kilgour, in a speech today marking the anniversary, said that these new Canadian
measures responded "to the lack of a genuine commitment by Burma's military regime to initiate a transition to
democracy." </p>
<p align="CENTER">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<p>Isabelle Savard</p>
<p>Director of Communications</p>
<p>Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs</p>
<p>(613) 995-1851</p>
<p>Michael Wodzicki</p>
<p>Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</p>
<p>(613) 992-6539</p>
<p>Media Relations Office</p>
<p>Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</p>
<p>(613) 995-1874</p>
<p><a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20071206025104/http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/">http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</a></p>
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