Senator Mitch McConnell Testifies On Burma Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs about the situation in Burma. McConnell's statement follows:

"Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to testify on Burma today. I also want to thank you - and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the full Committee - for your support of the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003.

"Last week's 97-1 vote on the Act underscores the Senate's support for the struggle for freedom in Burma. We sent a very powerful message to Rangoon that the freest nation on earth is leading the charge to defend Burma's courageous democrats, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

"As Burma's history informs its future, a cursory examination of the past should discourage us from believing that strong words from Senators alone will cause the thugs in Rangoon to change their ways.

"The illegitimate Burmese junta was born in blood, and the leaders of the regime have maintained their grip on power ever since through violence and intimidation. For over forty years - from the military coup led by New Win in 1962 until the murder of democratic dissidents last month - the generals who run things in Rangoon have brutalized their political opponents, terrorized the Burmese people, and driven the Burmese economy into the ground.

"Every time the junta has been threatened by the forces of freedom and democracy, it has violently lashed out against its critics. We saw this during the 1988 pro-democracy demonstrations in Burma, the 1990 elections won by the National League for Democracy (NLD), and, most recently, the May 30th ambush on Suu Kyi's convoy that killed and injured scores of democrats.

"Despite the murder and mayhem, the SPDC has yet to extinguish the flames of freedom in Burma. What has been most impressive to me is the courage and determination of Suu Kyi and all Burmese democrats in the face of this repression. They simply refuse to surrender the principles of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law to an abusive regime.

"U.S. sanctions on Burma are a good first step, and will be watched - indeed are being watched - around the globe. But our actions will not be truly effective until our European allies and Burma's neighbors also place pressure on the junta. They have many reasons to do so:

"First, the world's democracies have an inherent obligation to assist other freedom-loving peoples to achieve their aspirations for democracy and the rule of law. This is even more true when freedom is under attack - as is happening in Burma.

"Second, the SPDC poses a clear and present danger to Burma's neighbors. Burma is a major exporter of narcotics, small arms, HIV/AIDS, instability, and disease - to say nothing of the forced trafficking of women and children as indentured sex workers. China and Thailand already recognize the growing HIV/AIDS and narcotics problems spilling over Burma's borders into their own countries. As the recent SARS epidemic has illustrated, disease knows no borders, and it is apparent that all transnational issues that stem from the SPDC pose long-term threats to the region, and beyond.

"Finally, the junta's brutal attack on democracy in Burma received swift condemnation from foreign capitals. Even the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - now meeting in Cambodia - can no longer ignore crises festering in their own backyard. U.N. Special Envoy Razali Ismail lashed out at ASEAN saying, "constructive engagement is just an excuse for perpetuating the status quo. ASEAN should be very embarrassed at what is happening [in Burma]."

"Maybe ASEAN is embarrassed. The comments of nine members earlier this week for Suu Kyi's release are a welcome departure from ASEAN's policy of non-interference in other member states' affairs, but words must be backed by concrete actions. ASEAN members, collectively and independently, should consider similar measures proposed in the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, including travel restrictions and freezing assets of the SPDC.

"On this latter point, Razali indicated that a portion of the junta's assets may be in Singapore. Perhaps the Senate should discuss this matter when the Singapore Free Trade Act comes to the floor for consideration.

"Some of Burma's regional neighbors have been more aggressive in seeking to curry favor with the military junta. Bidding for despots is never a safe bet, and I would encourage those countries - including Japan, India, Malaysia, China, and Thailand - to rethink the dangers inherent to cooperating with an illegitimate regime. Further, unrestrained competition between China, Japan, and India for greater relations with Rangoon may create unintended and unproductive dynamics of its own.

"The Council on Foreign Relations Independent Task Force on Burma released its report this morning that contains numerous policy recommendations that the Administration and U.N. should consider and implement. I am pleased to have served on the Task Force - along with Senators Lugar and Feinstein - and want to encourage the State Department to move quickly on one particularly timely suggestion: America should press the U.N. to convene an emergency Security Council meeting to sanction Burma.

"Let me add one recommendation not included in the Task Force report. Diplomatic relations with Burma should be downgraded by sending Burma's ambassador in Washington back to Rangoon until such time that Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners are freed. I sent a letter to Secretary Powell this morning suggesting a downgrade in relations, and encourage other interested members to do the same.

"If the international community has the political will to stand for freedom in Burma, change can come to that beleaguered country. America can lead in this effort, but we cannot do it alone. It is in the interests of the United States, Europe, and all of Asia that a solution to Burma be achieved. Absent such a resolution, the major exports from Burma to the region will continue to be drugs, disease, and refugees.

"Let me close by saying that the full range of sanctions cannot be imposed against Burma soon enough. However, there must be concrete progress in a meaningful dialogue between the SPDC, the NLD and ethnic minorities before any pressure is lifted.

"It is not enough to free Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. The junta's game of "catch and release" has gotten old. Pressure should only be lifted when dialogue leads to the successful conclusion of Burma's struggle for freedom.