Freedom in Asia and Burma
FREEDOM IN ASIA AND BURMA
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to take a moment to commend President Bush for his superb remarks regarding freedom and democracy in Asia. It is fitting that these comments were made in Japan, a key strategic ally of the United States.
I will not recount the entire speech--which I encourage all my colleagues to read--but will highlight two paragraphs. The President said:
Unlike China, some Asian nations still have not taken even the first steps toward freedom. These regimes understand that economic liberty and political liberty go hand in hand, and they refuse to open up at all. The ruling parties in these countries have managed to hold onto power. The price of their refusal to open up is isolation, backwardness, and brutality. By closing the door to freedom, they create misery at home and sow instability abroad. These nations represent Asia's past, not its future.
We see that lack of freedom in Burma--a nation that should be one of the most prosperous and successful in Asia but is instead one of the region's poorest. Fifteen years ago, the Burmese people cast their ballots--and they chose democracy. The government responded by jailing the leader of the pro-democracy majority. The result is that a country rich in human talent and natural resources is a place where millions struggle simply to stay alive. The abuses by the Burmese military are widespread, and include rape, and torture, and execution, and forced relocation. Forced labor, trafficking in persons, and use of child soldiers, and religious discrimination are all too common. The people of Burma live in the darkness of tyranny--but the light of freedom shines in their hearts. They want their liberty--and one day, they will have it.
These words should ring loudly and clearly throughout the region. I commend President Bush for these comments and for the solid leadership he provides in supporting freedom in Burma. Moreover, I applaud the efforts made by President Bush and Secretary Rice to put Burma on the U.N. Security Council's agenda.
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