Council on Foreign Relations Independent Task Force on Burma

COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS INDEPENDENT TASK FORCE ON BURMA

    Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, the Council on Foreign Relations Independent Task Force on Burma today released a report entitled: "Burma: A Time for Change". I am pleased to have had an opportunity to serve as a member of the Task Force along with my colleagues, Senators Lugar and Feinstein, and Representative Lantos.

    The report describes the State Peace and Development Council's repressive rule in Burma, and makes a number of recommendations including: increased humanitarian assistance for the people of Burma through NGOS, and in consultation with the NLD and other groups representative of a multiethnic Burma; an import ban on goods produced in Burma, visa denials to leaders of the military regime and its political arms, and the freezing of assets abroad; U.S. leadership in urging the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution that demands the immediate release of Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, and to hold an emergency session to impose other sanctions on Burma; U.S. leadership in working with our allies and Burma's regional neighbors to bolster support for the struggle for freedom and the rule of law in Burma; no certification for Burma on narcotics cooperation as it has "failed demonstrably" to curtail drug production, drug trafficking and money laundering; and increased assistance to refugees fleeing Burma in Thailand, India, Bangladesh, and China.

    I thank the council for the timeliness of the task force, and all the members for their participation.

    Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the executive summary of the report be printed in the Record.