Bush condemns Myanmar arrests

Reuters
Thursday, August 30, 2007; 5:52 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Thursday criticized Myanmar's military junta for arresting dissidents who participated in recent protests and called for their immediate release.

"I strongly condemn the ongoing actions of the Burmese regime in arresting, harassing, and assaulting pro-democracy activists for organizing or participating in peaceful demonstrations," Bush said, using the former name of the Southeast Asian country.

His statement came after protesters were arrested and the homes of known activists raided.

"These activists were voicing concerns about recent dramatic increases in the price of fuel, and their concerns should be listened to by the regime rather than silenced through force," Bush said.

The arrests were expected to be discussed at a meeting of political leaders of the Asia-Pacific region in Sydney next week that Bush will attend.

"The Burmese regime should heed the international calls to release these activists immediately and stop its intimidation of those Burmese citizens who are promoting democracy and human rights," Bush said.

He called on Myanmar to release all political prisoners, including Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and for the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian organizations.