NCGUB Applauds Renewal of U.S. Sanctions on Burma

Press Release                                                      
August 1, 2006

NCGUB Applauds Renewal of U.S. Sanctions on Burma

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) warmly welcomes the renewal of the “Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003”, which President Bush has signed into law today.

The NCGUB is deeply grateful to the United States Congress, in particular, Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative Tom Lantos and all co-sponsors of this crucial bill (S.J.Res. 38 and H.J.Res. 86) for extending sanctions against the Burmese military junta for three more years.

Through this measure, the United States sent a strong and clear message to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) that continued egregious human rights violations and the generals’ blatant ignorance of international calls for national reconciliation and democratization process in Burma will not be tolerated.

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 honored the brave leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and recognized the National League for Democracy (NLD) as the "legitimate representative of the Burmese people as determined by the 1990 election”.  This legislation also aimed to reach an agreement between the SPDC and the democratic forces led by the NLD and ethnic nationalities on the transfer of power to a civilian government accountable to the Burmese people.

Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win said, “By renewing this Act,  the United States reiterated its strong support for the NLD and Burmese people in the struggle for freedom and democracy. I am confident that as clearly defined in the bill, the United States will empower the Burmese democracy movement and continue its efforts until the democratization process is irreversible in Burma.”

The NCGUB also fully supports initiatives by the United Sates, the European Union, and other democratic countries, including regional friends of Burma, to bring the Burma issue before the United Nations Security Council and help bring about democratic changes in the country.

The NCGUB will continue its efforts to bring about stronger unilateral as well as multilateral action against the Burmese generals until democracy is restored in the country.