[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.