    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [July 28, 2003]
    [Page 944]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 944]]

    Statement on Signing the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and
    the Accompanying Executive Order
    July 28, 2003

        Today I have signed into law the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act
    of 2003 and an Executive order sending a clear signal to Burma's ruling
    junta that it must release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, along with all other political prisoners, and
    move down the path toward democracy. These measures reaffirm to the
    people of Burma that the United States stands with them in their
    struggle for democracy and freedom.
        The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act is the result of close
    cooperation between my administration and Members of Congress on both
    sides of the aisle, especially Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative Tom Lantos.
    Among other measures, the legislation bans the import of Burmese
    products. The Executive order freezes the assets of senior Burmese
    officials and bans virtually all remittances to Burma. By denying these
    rulers the hard currency they use to fund their repression, we are
    providing strong incentives for democratic change and human rights in
    Burma.
        In May of this year, the Burmese Government tightened its grip on
    the people of Burma when it organized an attack on the motorcade of Aung
    San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National
    League for Democracy (NLD). Since then, Burmese officials have ignored
    requests from around the world to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other
    members of the NLD and to reopen NLD offices.
        The repression of the Burmese regime contributes to problems that
    spill across Burma's borders, including refugee flows, narcotics
    trafficking, and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases. These
    problems affect Burma's neighbors, and these nations must play an
    important role in resolving the current crisis. I urge the Association
    of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to continue to make clear to the
    regime that its behavior is inconsistent with ASEAN's standards and
    goals. Burma should not be permitted to tarnish ASEAN's record as a
    positive force for progress. I also welcome the measures taken by the
    European Union and Japan to bring about democratic change in Burma.
        The United States will not waver from its commitment to the cause of
    democracy and human rights in Burma. The United States has raised the
    situation in Burma at the United Nations Security Council and will do so
    again as developments warrant. The world must make clear--through word
    and deed--that the people of Burma, like people everywhere, deserve to
    live in dignity and freedom under leaders of their own choosing.

    Note: H.R. 2330, approved July 28, was assigned Public Law No. 108-61.
    The Executive order of July 28 is listed in Appendix D at the end of
    this volume.