(No. 169 - June 18, 2011 - 6:35 p.m. ET) John Baird, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, today issued the following statement on the occasion of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday:
“I would like to extend my heartfelt best wishes to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in celebration of her 66th birthday. This is the first time in several years that she has been able to celebrate her birthday while not confined to prison or house arrest.
“Canada has long supported Aung San Suu Kyi in her struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma. In recognition of her tireless efforts, she was granted honorary Canadian citizenship by the Parliament of Canada in 2007, one of only five individuals ever to have received this distinction. We continue to admire her dedication to defending the rights and freedoms of the Burmese people.
“I look forward to the day when we will be able to welcome Aung San Suu Kyi to Canada.
“Canada is a vigorous defender of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
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