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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 20, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

U.S. Envoys on Burma Return to Washington

U.S. Envoys dispatched on June 10 to Japan and ASEAN countries to seek a coordinated response to ongoing developments in Burma have completed their mission and briefed senior officials at the State Department and the White House, as well as legislators and legislative staff members on Capitol Hill.

Special Envoys Stanley Roth and former Ambassador William Brown reported that ASEAN members and Japan shared fundamenatal U.S. concerns on Burma, as well as our view that peace and stability can only come about through a process of dialogue between the authorities and Aung San Suu Kyi and the democratic opposition. The envoys also communicated to senior leaders in the region our continuing interest and commitment to these issues, and believe that their mission has enhanced the basis for productive discussion on the link between political dialogue, stability in Burma and Burma's successful integration into the region.

The envoys were in the region between June 10 and June 17, and met with Foreign Minister Ikeda in Japan, President Ramos in the Philippines, President Suharto in Indonesia, Prime Minister Goh in Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, and Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay in Thailand.

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