[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                                 BURMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Rohrabacher] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, we are witnessing a historic 
realignment between nations and peoples. Old empires are withering 
away, and new centers of prosperity are emerging. These extraordinary 
changes will not, however, result in a future of increased freedom for 
everyone.
  Burma is one of the places left behind as the world moves toward new 
potential for freedom and democracy. While prosperous cities like 
Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, and so many others in 
Asia distinguish themselves as thriving market and cultural centers, 
Rangoon lingers in stagnation and oppression.

  Burma is a police state, a place where everyone's life is controlled 
by a heavy-handed clique of military officers and unelected officials.
  The gap, between Burma and its ASEAN neighbors is being widened by 
rapid advances in technology and the emergence of a global market. Each 
year free societies take steps toward solving problems like pollution, 
disease, and hunger, while unfree societies like Burma slide backwards. 
We can see this same gap in Vietnam, Cuba, North Korea, and other 
corrupt dictatorships.
  While it is not incumbent on us to spill American blood or expend our 
resources to combat every tyrant, for there will always be another 
tyrant, it is incumbent on us to support those who are fighting for 
democracy, human rights, rule of law, and, in short, the values and 
ideas at the heart of the American experience.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge one of our colleagues who recently 
took it upon himself to reach out to the oppressed people of Burma. 
Bill Richardson went to Rangoon and stood tall for human rights and 
democracy. His presence was evident to the people of Burma that they 
are not forgotten. He clearly sent the message that we are on the side 
of the oppressed, not the oppressor. Bill met with Nobel Laureate Aung 
San Suu Kyi, and underscored America's support for her courageous vigil 
for freedom in Burma.
  Congressman Richardson's message gives hope to people isolated from 
the world both in Rangoon and in ramshackle refugee camps deep in the 
jungle. The hill tribe people of Burma, who have fought the Burmese 
regime, are humble and innocent people. They have been subjected to 
forced relocations, starvation, inadequate shelter, poor medical care, 
disease, and constant threat of military attack.
  Karens, Mon, Pa-O, Kachin, Wa, Kareni, Chin, Shan, and couragous 
ethnic Burmese are members of the Democratic Alliance of Burma, 
standing together they have managed to keep Burma's vicious regime from 
its goal of total control.
  Since the open elections of 1990, which the democratic forces won, 
but were denied their electoral victory by raw military power, the 
Burmese junta slowly killed, jailed or exiled the entire leadership of 
the democracy movement, just as they have attacked and isolated the 
hill tribes of Burma.
  But this has caused the Burmese regime to be a pariah among the 
nations of the world. So recently the regime has been trying a new 
approach: A few democratic leaders have been released and there has 
been an aggressive public relations program in Washington. Rangoon has, 
in fact, limited its military offensives against the Hill peoples. All 
this to calm the voices of condemnation overseas, but not to loosen its 
grip on power at home.
  Mr. Speaker, the democratic resistance in Burma is reeling. They are 
being pressured to give up their legitimate and democratic demands. 
Both China and Thailand have economic interests in seeing a settlement 
signed, and therefore they have exerted pressure on the ethnic groups 
to come to some kind of accommodation.
  Our generous friends in Thailand, yearning for peace on their borders 
and friendly ties with their neighbors, have grown tired of having so 
many refugees inside their borders. Who can blame the Thais for wanting 
to settle the conflicts on its borders. But consequently, lacking any 
serious outside support, there are few other alternatives for those who 
would have democratic government in Burma rather than seeking 
accommodation with the ruling clique.
  Unfortunately, the United States has not been the positive force in 
Burma that it should have been. U.S. businesses are lining up to invest 
despite human rights abuses and dictatorship. Some in our Government 
have urged cooperation and constructive engagement with the Burmese 
regime, nudging them toward reform and respect for human rights.
  It is obvious that those who hold power illegitimately have most of 
the leverage in the negotiations now going on in that troubled land. 
Our American embassy in Rangoon should let it be known that there are 
certain basic principles which must be part of any solution for Burma's 
troubles.
  Any agreement should include, at a minimum, the release of Aung San 
Suu Kyi, the removal of Burmese troops from the territories of the 
ethnic tribes, respect for human rights, and guarantees for the 
protection of hilltribe culture and their way of life. In the case of 
the Kareni, we should respect their desire for independence, perhaps as 
part of a confederation.

  Should the fighting end, I will be looking forward to reading reports 
of how the Burmese regime has shifted its enormous military away from 
slaughtering innocent hill tribesmen, and refocusing it on eradicating 
narcotics trafficking in Burma.
  As the Clinton administration reviews our policy toward Burma it 
should not ignore democracy and human rights. Someone who is a forceful 
negotiator and strong advocate of human rights should represent us in 
Rangoon as Ambassador.
  Mr. Speaker, Burma is a country of over 40 million people. It is rich 
in minerals and has great economic potential. The Burmese people are as 
talented and capable as any in the world. Aside from potential 
beneficial economic ties and the narcotics issue, we presently have few 
interests in Burma. Nevertheless, it is necessary for us to pay 
attention to the Burmas of the world. Part of our global concerns 
should include the tens of millions of people in places like 
Afghanistan, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Burma. Places where people are 
struggling for their lives and their freedom against the forces of 
tyranny. Without our attention and concern, these forgotten corners of 
the world quickly turn into places where the law of blood and force 
rules exclusively. Because of our convictions and our powerful position 
in the world, we owe it to our forefathers and mothers, whose love of 
liberty made the United States what it is to express solidarity with 
the struggle of the oppressed, and to condemn the tormentors of those 
who long for freedom and a better life.
  Mr. Speaker, these are people who have, facing great odds, risk of 
the death of their family and themselves, have stood against this 
dictatorship. I would leave one message to the people of Burma--and I 
commend my fellow congressman. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, he speaks 
for us and he spoke for us when he talked in Rangoon when he spoke 
about democracy. The people of Burma are not forgotten. I hope they 
hold firm to their struggle for human rights and democracy.

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