25 September 2007
U.S. Statement on Ongoing Demonstrations in Burma
U.S. urges the Burmese regime to engage in dialogue with its own people
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 24, 2007
Statement by Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman
Burma -- Ongoing Demonstrations
Tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and ordinary citizens have taken to the streets in cities across Burma in peaceful demonstrations of the desire of the Burmese people for freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights.
We call on the regime to exercise restraint in the face of these protests and to release those who have been imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views.
The way forward is for the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with its own people, including the leaders of the pro-democracy movement and ethnic minority groups, on transition to a civilian, democratic government. We urge the regime to immediately begin such a dialogue and hope that other countries that can influence the regime will join us in calling for genuine dialogue.
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
