    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [October 19, 2007]
    [Pages 1354-1355]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Situation in Burma
    October 19, 2007

        Laura, thank you for joining--and Madam
    Secretary. In the last few weeks, the world
    has been inspired by the courage of the Burmese people. Ordinary men and
    women have taken to the streets in peaceful marches to demand their
    freedom and call for democratic change. The world has also been
    horrified by the response of Burma's military junta. Monks have been
    beaten and killed. Thousands of prodemocracy protesters have been
    arrested. And Burma's dictator, Than Shwe,
    continues to hold captive the leader of Burma's largest democratic
    party, Aung San Suu Kyi.
        Burma's rulers continue to defy the world's just demands to stop
    their vicious persecution. They continue to dismiss calls to begin
    peaceful dialog aimed at national reconciliation. Most of all, they
    continue to reject the clear will of the Burmese people to live in
    freedom under leaders of their own choosing.
        Last month, the United States tightened economic sanctions on the
    leaders of Burma's regime and imposed an expanded visa ban on those
    responsible for the most egregious violations of human rights, as well
    as their family members. The Treasury Department designated 14 top
    leaders of the Burmese regime for sanctions, including Than Shwe and his deputy, Vice Senior General Maung Aye. And the State Department added 260 names of Burmese
    officials and their family members to the visa ban list.
        In light of the ongoing atrocities by these men and their
    associates, the United States has today imposed additional sanctions.
        First, the Treasury Department has designated 11 more leaders of the
    Burmese junta for sanctions under existing authorities.
        Second, I've issued a new Executive order that designates an
    additional 12 individuals and entities for sanctions. This Executive
    order grants the Treasury Department expanded authority to designate for
    sanctions individuals responsible for human rights abuses, as well as
    public corruption,

    [[Page 1355]]

    and those who provide material and financial backing to these
    individuals or to the Government of Burma.
        Third, I have instructed our Commerce Department to tighten its
    export control regulations for Burma.
        Burmese authorities claim they desire reconciliation. Well, they
    need to match those words with actions. A good way to start would be to
    provide the International Committee of the Red Cross and other
    humanitarian organizations access to political prisoners, to allow Aung
    San Suu Kyi and other detained leaders to
    communicate with one another, and to permit Special Envoy
    Gambari to enter their country
    immediately. And ultimately, reconciliation requires that Burmese
    authorities release all political prisoners and begin negotiations with
    the democratic opposition under the auspices of the United Nations.
        We will continue to review our policies and consider additional
    measures if Burma's leaders do not end the brutal repression of their
    own people whose only offense is the desire to live in freedom. Business
    as usual is unacceptable. So I applaud the efforts of the European Union
    and nations like Australia that have announced targeted sanctions on the
    Burmese regime. I commend nations such as Japan that have curtailed
    their assistance to Burma in response to the atrocities. I appreciate
    nations such as Singapore and the Philippines and Indonesia, who have
    spoken out against the atrocities. I ask other countries to review their
    own laws and policies, especially Burma's closest neighbors: China,
    India, and others in the region.
        The people of Burma are showing great courage in the face of immense
    repression. They are appealing for our help. We must not turn a deaf ear
    to their cries. They do have many friends around the world, including
    Laura. I am proud of Laura for all she has done
    to awaken the conscience of the world to the plight of the Burmese
    people. I believe no nation can forever suppress its own people. And we
    are confident that the day is coming when freedom's tide will reach the
    shores of Burma.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:47 p.m. in the Diplomatic Reception Room
    at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to First Lady Laura
    Bush; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; and United Nations Special
    Adviser to the Secretary-General on Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari. The
    President also referred to Executive Order 13448.