*EPF102 07/14/2003
Text: Armitage Says Junta to Blame for Lack of Progress Toward Burmese Reconciliation
(Deputy secretary issues statement after meeting with U.N. envoy for Burma) (400)

Following a meeting in Washington July 11 with United Nations Special Envoy for Burma Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Deputy Secretary Richard Armitage issued a statement welcoming Razali's efforts towards national reconciliation in Burma, and laying the blame for lack of progress on "the oppressive and shortsighted military junta."

Following is the text of the full statement:

(begin text)

Press Statement
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 11, 2003

Statement by Deputy Secretary Richard L. Armitage: Meeting with UN Special Envoy Razali Ismail

I met today with United Nations Special Envoy for Burma Tan Sri Razali Ismail. Ambassador Razali has made tireless efforts on behalf of national reconciliation in Burma. We salute him for these efforts and support his future attempts to foster dialogue.

The United States government places the blame for the lack of progress to date squarely where it belongs, with the oppressive and shortsighted military junta. The generals have failed to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them to become full-fledged members of the international community. They should rethink their policies toward their own people and reinstate those freedoms, such as the freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association and freedom to express one's political views that are universally enshrined. They must release Aung San Suu Kyi and the leadership of her political party immediately.

ASEAN can play a key role in bringing about change in Burma. We have welcomed ASEAN's comments on the situation in Burma, and we look forward to the upcoming ASEAN ministerial-level visit to Rangoon to encourage democratic change. Burma's association with the organization increasingly complicates ASEAN's dealings with the international community, particularly as Burma is scheduled to take on leadership posts, including the ASEAN chairmanship in 2006. A country ruled by a military dictatorship is simply incompatible with the norms and aspirations of ASEAN.

The United States government maintains its efforts to support change in Burma. We are working on an import ban, asset freeze and a ban on remittances to Burma. We continue our coordination with ASEAN countries and others who share our deep concern about the situation in Burma. We are also evaluating additional measures at the United Nations and other multilateral bodies. We will continue to support democratic change in Burma through all available channels.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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