[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 31 (Monday, August 4, 2003)]
[Pages 990-991]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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.