[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 119 (Thursday, September 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          FOR BURMESE FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, fourteen years ago today the Burmese people 
rose up and protested, non-violently, against the military regime 
ruling their country. They marched--students, farmers, monks, 
academics, journalists and professionals alike--in front of the U.S. 
Embassy, in Rangoon, to tell the world that they wanted democracy. Our 
embassy heard their pleas, their shouts for freedom. In a nationwide 
uprising, that predated that of Tiannamen Square, thousands of brave 
souls lost their lives, in Rangoon alone. CNN did not record the 
event--TV coverage then, and today, is not allowed in Burma, unless 
stage-managed by the regime.
  How fortunate the Burmese people are to have a leader, Nobel Peace 
Prize recipient, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who has willingly sacrificed her 
own freedom for that of her 50 million countrymen and women. Her party, 
the National League for Democracy, (NLD) won a free and fair election 
despite her being under house arrest, in 1990. The people of Burma 
voted for all which we hold sacred. Fourteen years is a long time to 
wait to honor the election results and the aspirations of the Burmese 
people.
  The Congress and all administrations since that time, have supported 
the NLD and Burma's democracy movement. But we have done enough. The 
regime tells us, through their DC-based lobbyist, that they are willing 
to cooperate with the U.S. on counter narcotic measures. Evidence 
points to the contrary. Where is Khun Sa, the infamous drug lord? 
Although he has been under indictment in the Eastern District of New 
York for Federal drug violations that include conspiracy, importation 
of, and possession with intent to distribute heroin in the United 
States, he is believed to be residing in a military safe house in 
Rangoon, under a cease fire and amnesty agreement with the military 
junta. He is free; the Burmese people are not. He joins the generals in 
living without fear; while the Burmese people do not.
  Accordingly, on this day fourteen years after the Burmese people gave 
their lives for democracy, we ask the world and this Congress for 
support to continue to pressure the regime until the aspirations of the 
Burmese people are fulfilled. I urge my colleagues not to forget that, 
in Burma, a parliamentary chamber has not been filled with an 
electorate.
  Aung San Suu Kyl has said: ``What we are concerned about is the 
freedom of political parties and the freedom of all the people of 
Burma.'' If we turn our backs on Burma, if we don't speak out, and act, 
in support of those who chose democracy, we will be undermining all 
duly elected public officials, including ourselves.




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