    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 42 (Monday, October 22, 2007)]
    [Pages 1378-1379]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    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.

    [[Page 1379]]

        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, 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
    Envoy for Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari. The President also referred to
    Executive Order 13448.