*EPF103 07/28/2003
Bush Signs Law Imposing Economic Sanctions on Burma
(White House Report, July 28: Burma, Japan, Iraq, Israel, Afghanistan, Rice, Armstrong) (700)

President Bush July 28 signed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which imposes economic sanctions on the government of Burma.

"[T]his legislation sends a clear message to the regime in Burma," said White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan. "The regime's continued detention of [opposition leader] Aung San Suu Kyi and continued oppression of its people is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to stand. The U.S. is fully supportive of the people of Burma in their struggle for freedom and democracy."

BUSH DISCUSSES IRAQ, NORTH KOREA WITH JAPAN'S KOIZUMI

Before he left for a speaking engagement in Pittsburgh July 28, Bush spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan. "The two leaders talked about a number of issues, including Iraq and North Korea," McClellan said. "The president thanked the prime minister for Japan's continued support and commitment to helping with reconstruction in Iraq.

"They also discussed their shared commitment to seeking a diplomatic solution as we move forward on North Korea, and the importance of the next round of talks, including Japan and South Korea," McClellan said.

Koizumi also updated Bush on Japan's economic reform agenda and economic development in the country, he added.

SEARCH FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN LOYALISTS CONTINUES

In Iraq, "[t]here continue to be attacks, as is to be expected, by loyalists to the former regime, foreign terrorists and other killers who are enemies of the Iraqi people and enemies of a free and democratic Iraq," said McClellan.

Coalition forces will continue to search for Saddam Hussein and remnants of the former regime, he said.

U.S. PLEASED BY ANNOUNCED ISRAELI RELEASE OF PRISONERS

The release of 540 Palestinian prisoners, announced in a statement by an Israeli government official July 27, may "improve the relations between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority and help facilitate progress toward peace," said McClellan. The White House welcomes steps "that improve the relationship between the Israelis and the Palestinians," he said.

In a joint news conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas July 25, Bush emphasized that prisoner release needs to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and that no one would want prisoners released who had blood on their hands.

WHITE HOUSE SAYS AFGHAN RECONSTRUCTION SUCCEEDING

Asked at a briefing about news reports that the Bush administration is seeking an additional $1 billion dollars in aid for Afghanistan, McClellan said he was unable to announce anything on the subject, but he said: "right now, in terms of where we are, we're working with the Afghanistan government, the international community and Congress to ensure that we devote the necessary resources to Afghanistan."

"[W]e were successful in the battle of Afghanistan, which was part of the war on terrorism," said McClellan. "And as a result, you have 20 million Afghans who live free from the oppression of the Taliban, in a world that is safer because Afghanistan is no longer a safe harbor for terrorists. And in freeing the Afghan people and eliminating the safe harbor for terrorists, we've also been successful in helping the Afghan people build a better future for themselves, through such efforts as rebuilding roads and reopening schools. We want to build on those successes, to cement a better, more hopeful future for the people of Afghanistan. And part of that effort is to ensure that all the necessary resources are devoted to achieving that goal.

BUSH HAS CONFIDENCE IN RICE

"Absolutely," McClelland responded when asked if the president has confidence in National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

"Condi Rice is one of, if not the, most outstanding national security advisors this nation has ever had. She has been strongly committed to -- strongly committed, along with the president -- to making America safer and making the world safer. And she's doing a great job in that respect," the press secretary said.

LANCE ARMSTRONG VICTORY

Bush phoned Lance Armstrong in Paris July 27 to congratulate him on an impressive Tour de France bicycle race victory. This was Armstrong's fifth Tour de France win.

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

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