Gonzalo Gallegos, Acting State Department Spokesman, Washington, DC: Arrest of Pro-Democracy Activists in Burma

We condemn the Burmese regime’s arrest of Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, and several other pro-democracy activists on August 22 for organizing peaceful demonstrations to express public concern about recent increases in the price of fuel.

The United States calls for the immediate release of these activists and for an end to the regime’s blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those who are engaged in peaceful promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma. We call on the regime to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the leaders of Burma’s democracy movement and ethnic minority groups and to take tangible steps toward a transition to civilian, democratic rule.

We renew our call for Burma’s military leaders to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. Further, we call on the Burmese regime to end its military attacks and human rights abuses against civilians in ethnic minority areas, and to lift restrictions on humanitarian organizations in Burma. Improving bilateral relations between Burma and the United States depends on the Burmese regime taking concrete and credible steps in this direction.