27 December 2010
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the invitation of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi to Canada.
"I am pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has invited Aung San Suu Kyi to Canada to personally accept her honorary Canadian citizenship. We recognize that Aung San Suu Kyi's immediate priority since her release from house arrest is to focus her energies on consultations and dialogue within Burma, before embarking on international travel. We hope, however, that she will be able at the appropriate time to accept our invitation.
"Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded honorary Canadian citizenship by the Parliament of Canada in 2007. On November 13, 2010, she was released after being held under house arrest for almost 15 years.
"Canada's policy toward Burma reflects the serious problems that the military regime has created for its people. Canada is proud to have stood firmly with Aung San Suu Kyi and those working for Burmese democracy for these many years.
"Canada once again calls on the Burmese regime to engage in a meaningful, inclusive dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic and ethnic leaders to ensure a better future for all Burmese people, in which their fundamental rights are respected and their long-held desire for the restoration of democracy is realized."
