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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 25, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the military regime in Burma is detaining hundreds of members of the democratic movement. We have urged the regime to release all detainees immediately and unconditionally, and not to interfere with the efforts of the National League for Democracy to meet at a conference in Rangoon on Sunday.

We have continued to make our views known to the regime both in Washington and in Rangoon. We have also urged U.S. citizens to reconsider non-essential travel.

We are gratified that a number of governments around the world have joined us in condemnation of the actions of the Burmese military regime. The United States will continue to work with other members of the international community on this issue. We will seek to ensure that current developments are a topic of concern at G-7 meetings and upcoming regional consultations in Asia.

These issues were reviewed on Friday at a senior-level White House meeting, where a decision was made to dispatch an envoy to consult with European, Asian, and other friends and allies on a coordinated response to ongoing events.

We again call on the authorities in Burma to engage in a meaningful political dialogue with the democratic opposition leaders and representatives of the ethnic minorities.

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