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Do you have any message to the Burmese government concerning Suu Kyi's security and her right to travel around Burma in her capacity as leader of the National League for Democracy?

A: Aung San Suu Kyi was granted honorary Canadian citizenship by the parliament of Canada in 2007. I had the pleasure of meeting with her recently to pass on the honorary degrees she has received from Carleton and Memorial Universities, and to reiterate Canada's support for her ongoing work in promoting democracy and human rights in Burma.

Canada has unambiguously stressed to Burmese authorities the importance of Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom. Minister John Baird raised this issue in Bali and I did so in Naypyidaw. We acknowledge the important assurances we were given by the government of Burma in this regard, as well as their acceptance to allow her to travel in the country and increase her public activities in Yangon. Her freedom of mobility is fundamental to Burma's pledge to reform. And we will continue to press to ensure this is granted.

Q: There has been a major push to form a proposed UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, and Canada is among those who have supported this idea. But how strong is Canada's desire to implement this proposal together with other democratic countries? What effect do you think this will have on the regime's willingness to undertake serious reforms?

A: Canada holds the view that there should be accountability for serious human rights abuses. We hope the prospect of a Commission of Inquiry might reinforce that our appeals for improved conduct are not empty, and that the country's leaders, including an emerging generation of top officials, understand that their decisions may have serious consequences for them personally.

How and when a Commission of Inquiry might practically move forward is a matter of active discussion among countries of like-minded values, and there are admittedly some uncertainties. What's key for Burmese leaders and senior officials to understand, however, is that there remains a very real prospect that their actions today may come back to haunt to them. The best way to avoid that is to take seriously the calls for better treatment of their own population.

Q: There have been increasing calls to fine-tune sanctions on Burma. Do you think that targeted sanctions will be a more effective tool for encouraging political change in Burma? Do you think that concerns about China's growing clout in Burma and its massive investment in the country's energy and mining sectors justify the desire of some Western governments to modify sanctions in order to allow invest in Burma?

A: I can't speak for other countries, but I can say that the government of Canada is committed to keeping our comprehensive economic sanctions—which are the toughest in the world—in place until there is a tangible and enduring change in the Burmese government's actions. I prefer to see this not as a threat, but as an opportunity.

Canada is ready to acknowledge and reward meaningful progress, but much still needs to be done in concrete terms to reach that point. For the benefit of all concerned, I sincerely look forward to seeing that day. When that happens is really up to the leaders of Burma.