Burma  Consequently, the majority of its population languishes in abject poverty. This past weekend, Burma's ruling junta attacked the convoy of Aung Sun Sue Chi, Nobel prize laureate and winner of Burma's last free election. Between 70 and 100 pro-democracy activists may well have been murdered.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, Canada fully protested the action of the junta in Burma. We are still taking firm action vis-à-vis Burma. We support the re-establishment of democracy in Burma. We will continue to make efforts to ensure that democracy prevails in Burma and we are working with all of the opposition in Burma to ensure this outcome.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, on May 17, the military junta in Burma will hold talks concerning the establishment of a new constitution in which some members of the National League for Democracy, headed by Aung San Suu Kyi, most likely will participate.

Foreign Affairs  Canada maintains strict measures against Burma. In light of these actions we will now redouble our efforts to restore democracy to Burma.

Treaties Act  It also means that the minister understands the difference, unlike the opposition did just a few minutes ago when it suddenly said that in the case of Burma it was okay to recognize governments, not countries. Imagine, if we start simply throwing international law up in the air and making rules on the fly, what kind of country we would be and how we would probably be considered the laughing stock of the world.

Supply  I realize she was going after colleagues from the Conservative Party, but I would like to ask her a number of things although she may not want to deal with all of them. Does she think that the CPP should invest in Ivanhoe? As she knows, Ivanhoe has a mine in Burma, Myanmar, where 50 people were killed last May, with bamboo poles I understand, not very far away from the Ivanhoe facility. I remind her that Canadians, including Albertans, got Petro-Canada to pull out of Burma and perhaps persuaded Talisman to sell out its interest in Sudan.

Committees of the House  Given that record and the motion that we have before the House, is the member also aware that yesterday and today in Toronto a business meeting has been taking place with ASEAN nations and included in that are representatives from Burma or Myanmar? They have not been blocked out of the meeting. They in fact are included in that. I wonder if the member was aware of that. She is indicating that she was not aware of that, but that is the case.

Presence in Gallery  I would like to draw to the attention of hon. members the presence in the gallery of Dr. Sein Win, the elected Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the exiled government formed in December 1990.

Aung San Suu Kyi  The international community must mobilize in order to force the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi immediately. Canada must develop a firmer stand vis-à-vis the military rulers of Burma, and speak out in all international forums to put an end to this intolerable situation.

Foreign Affairs  Ms. Kyi has criticized Canada because, unlike the U.S., we have refused to ban investment in Burma. When will the government decide to provide real help to bring democracy to this country by putting pressure on Canadian companies operating in Burma?

Burma  The hon. member for Rosemont—Petite-Patrie.

Supply  Did my ears play tricks on me or did he say that because Nelson Mandela was considered by somebody to be a terrorist therefore we should invest in Ivanhoe mines in Burma because they happen to be led by one of the most oppressive governments on the face of the earth, perhaps in this century? Did he say that the CPP board should be allowed to invest in tobacco companies and liquor companies?

Supply  I tried to pick some examples. I am not familiar with the particular circumstances of the Ivanhoe mines in Burma. I was attempting to draw the House's attention to the fact that this is a judgment call. Who makes these decisions on what is ethical and what is not? There is a grey area, in my judgment, and I do not think that people with the best will in the world could reach the same conclusion about what is an ethical investment and what is not.

Foreign Affairs  Mr. Speaker, yesterday Burma's military regime announced that Nobel laureate and National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be released from house arrest. Will the Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific share with the House Canada's reaction to this news and inform us how it will affect our relationship with Burma?

Foreign Affairs  To that end, we should propose that the issue be raised at the UN Security Council, lobby Asian regional members later this month to take a stronger stand on Burma, give political and financial support to civil society groups, and seek the unilateral and multilateral enactment of targeted sanctions. I thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his strong statement in this regard.