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Australia PRESS RELEASE BY LAURIE B



Subject: Australia PRESS RELEASE BY LAURIE BRERETON


PRESS RELEASE
LAURIE BRERETON MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

28/99
30 March 1999

BURMA: DEATH OF DR MICHAEL ARIS

"The Burmese military regime's heartlessly cynical attitude toward the
illness and death of Dr Michael Aris, husband of Burmese democracy leader
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, has been entirely in keeping with its odious
character", the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, said
today.  

"Aung San Suu Kyi's courage and dignity at this time of great personal
sadness is an inspiration to all who support the cause of democracy and
respect for human rights in Burma."

"Sadly the Howard Government's conspicuous lack of response is
characteristic of a government which has lost what little interest it may
have had in encouraging political freedoms and human rights in Burma."  

"Burma's military junta has persistently defied international opinion,
refused to engage in dialogue with pro-democracy opposition groups, and
violated human rights and democratic freedoms on an appalling scale."

"Belated words of sympathy from Foreign Minister Downer will be no
substitute for real pressure on the Burmese regime to enter into serious
negotiations with the National League for Democracy and undertake necessary
political and economic reform."

"In the absence of any significant improvement in human rights conditions
and progress toward establishment of democratic freedoms, Labor has for more
than two years urged the Howard Government to impose the following
sanctions:  

*	actively discourage Australian trade with Burma, including closure
of the Austrade office in Rangoon, discourage Australian companies from
doing business in Burma, and ban new Australian investment in Burma;  

*	actively discourage Australian citizens from visiting Burma for
business and tourism;  

*	suspend the issue of visas for visits to Australia by Burmese
officials and other persons associated with the military regime; and  

*	put the Burmese military regime on notice that diplomatic relations
will be downgraded in the event of further deterioration of the human rights
situation."  

"Like the South African government at the time of apartheid, Burma's
military rulers should be treated as a pariah regime.  But the Howard
Government has imposed no sanctions, instead continuing its totally
ineffectual dialogue with the Burmese junta."  


"Sanctions by Australia would send an important political message, not only
to the Burmese military, but also to the world community, and would be a
significant contribution to international efforts to advance human rights
and democratic freedoms in Burma."

"The Howard Government's persistent refusal to take any concrete measures
against the Burmese military regime leaves its professed commitment to human
rights exposed as little more than empty rhetoric."