[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 139 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 139

   Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should take 
        certain actions with respect to the Government of Burma.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 8, 2011

 Mr. Lugar (for himself, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Inhofe) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should take 
        certain actions with respect to the Government of Burma.

Whereas the ruling junta in Burma, the State Peace and Development Council 
        (SPDC), (recently renamed as the State Supreme Council), did not 
        affirmatively respond to President Barack Obama's initiative to engage 
        with Burma;
Whereas more than 2,000 political prisoners continue to be detained in Burma, 
        even after the release of Aung San Suu Kyi;
Whereas the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act 
        of 2008 (Public Law 110-286) established the position of Special 
        Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, and President Obama 
        delayed for over two years to nominate a person for that position;
Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce children, including ethnic 
        minorities, into participating in combat and other military roles;
Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce civilians, including ethnic 
        minorities, to serve as human minesweepers;
Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce civilians, including ethnic 
        minorities, to serve as porters and assist military personnel;
Whereas the United States Government successfully mounted a vigorous and 
        multilateral strategy pursuant to United Nations Security Council 
        Resolution 1874 (2009) to deter a North Korean ship, the Kang Nam I, 
        from traveling to its alleged destination in Burma in July 2009;
Whereas North Korea and Burma are expanding their bilateral military 
        relationship;
Whereas military and other personnel from North Korea have reportedly been in 
        Burma providing technical and other assistance toward the development of 
        the military capabilities of the Government of Burma;
Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly provided radar systems and 
        capabilities to the Government of Burma;
Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly provided missiles and 
        missile technology to the Government of Burma;
Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly provided underground 
        tunneling technology to the Government of Burma;
Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly provided multiple rocket 
        launchers to the Government of Burma;
Whereas there are reports that the Governments of North Korea and Burma are 
        collaborating on matters related to the development of Burma's nuclear 
        program;
Whereas the Governments of Russia and Burma collaborated on the development of 
        Burma's nuclear program;
Whereas hundreds of persons from Burma have gone to Russia for specialized 
        training, including in the area of nuclear technology;
Whereas the Government of Burma is acquiring additional MIG aircraft from the 
        Government of Russia;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of persons have fled Burma since 1988 for safety 
        and to avoid persecution; and
Whereas, since October 1, 1989, approximately 80,000 refugees from Burma have 
        resettled in the United States: Now therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) given the growing relationship between the Governments 
        of Burma and North Korea, the President should provide the 
        Congress with an unclassified report as to the volume of ships 
        and planes from North Korea visiting Burma, via China and 
        elsewhere, in 2009, 2010, and through March 2011;
            (2) the President should provide leadership by calling for 
        an international investigation into allegations of 
        international crimes against civilians in Burma, including 
        ethnic minorities, by the Government of Burma;
            (3) the President should seek the assistance of friends and 
        allies of the United States who actively engage with the 
        Government of Burma and have diplomatic missions in Burma, 
        including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, to encourage the 
        release of all remaining political prisoners; and
            (4) the President should encourage countries neighboring 
        Burma to establish safe havens for Burmese child soldiers 
        fleeing from forced military service by the Government of 
        Burma.
                                 <all>