Press Release by the White House

[freeburma@xxxxxxx]

May 22, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY 


                            THE WHITE HOUSE
                    Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                May 22, 1996


               STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

     We are deeply concerned by reports indicating that some 91 
members of the democracy movement in Burma have been detained by 
the authorities in Burma.  Those groups include members of the 
National League for Democracy who were elected to parliament in 
1990 but were not allowed to take their seats, as well as family 
members of several representatives.

     We condemn efforts by the State Law and Order Restoration 
Council to prevent the citizens of Burma from exercising their 
basic political rights.  We have strongly protested these arrests 
to the Burmese authorities and have warned that a continued 
crackdown would lead to further deterioration in our already 
strained relationship.

     We will continue our active diplomatic efforts, including 
consultations with friends and allies in the international 
community, on how to encourage the regime to respect the rights 
of the people of Burma.


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