[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 40 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Pages 1957-1958]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6925--Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants 
of Persons Who Formulate or Implement Policies That Are Impeding the 
Transition to Democracy in Burma or Who Benefit From Such Policies

October 3, 1996

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The current regime in Burma continues to detain significant numbers 
of duly elected members of parliament, National League for Democracy 
activists, and other persons attempting to promote democratic change in 
Burma. The regime has failed to enter into serious dialogue with the 
democratic opposition and representatives of the country's ethnic 
minorities, has failed to move toward achieving national reconciliation, 
and has

[[Page 1958]]

failed to meet internationally recognized standards of human rights.
    In light of this continuing political repression, I have determined 
that it is in the interests of the United States to restrict the 
entrance into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants of 
certain Burmese nationals who formulate or implement policies that 
impede Burma's transition to democracy or who benefit from such 
policies, and the immediate families of such persons.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, by the power vested in me as 
President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
America, including sections 212(f) and 215 of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act of 1952, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1182(f), 1185), and 
section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that the 
unrestricted immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of 
persons described in section 1 of this proclamation would, except as 
provided for in section 2 or 3 of this proclamation, be detrimental to 
the interests of the United States. I therefore, do proclaim that:
    Section 1. The entry into the United States as immigrants and 
nonimmigrants of persons who formulate, implement, or benefit from 
policies that impede Burma's transition to democracy, and the immediate 
family members of such persons, is hereby suspended.
    Sec. 2. Section 1 shall not apply with respect to any person 
otherwise covered by section 1 where the Secretary of State determines 
that the entry of such person would not be contrary to the interests of 
the United States. Section 1 shall not apply to officials assigned to 
Burmese missions in the United States or working-level support staff and 
visitors who support the work of Burmese missions in the United States.
    Sec. 3. Persons covered by sections 1 and 2 shall be identified 
pursuant to procedures established by the Secretary of State, as 
authorized in section 6 below.
    Sec. 4. Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to derogate 
from United States Government obligations under applicable international 
agreements.
    Sec. 5. This proclamation is effective immediately and shall remain 
in effect until such time as the Secretary of State determines that it 
is no longer necessary and should be terminated.
    Sec. 6. The Secretary of State shall have responsibility to 
implement this proclamation pursuant to procedures the Secretary may 
establish. The Secretary of State may subdelegate the authorities set 
forth herein as he deems necessary and appropriate to implement this 
proclamation.
    Sec. 7. This proclamation may be repealed, in whole or in part, at 
such time as the Secretary of State determines that the Burmese regime 
has released National League for Democracy members currently being held 
for political offenses and other pro-democracy activists, enters into 
genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition, or makes significant 
progress toward improving the human rights situation in the country.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of 
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
twenty-first.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 4, 
1996]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on October 
7.