[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 2003

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the continuing and 
deeply troubling situation in Burma. Last week over 900 Buddhist monks 
marched through the streets of Mandalay. The military thugs ruling 
Burma responded by shooting, beating, and smoke bombing the 
demonstrators.
  Unfortunately, news of this latest affront to peace and democracy has 
not reached a wide audience. With limited exception, the plight of the 
people of Burma and its duly elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi are never 
reported in the press.
  There is no doubt as to the ruthlessness and brutality of the State 
Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The evil dictators continue to 
rape, enslave, imprison, and murder innocent civilians from every 
ethnic group. Despite talk about democracy and road maps toward peace 
and civilian rule, we have seen no tangible and positive steps in that 
direction. Their actions betray their real motives and goals.
  For the past few years, the United Nations has undertaken a process 
of trying to convince Burma's military regime to engage in a dialogue 
with the legitimate leaders of Burma. We must recognize that the United 
Nations process, as it has played out, has failed. The efforts at 
gently persuading the Burmese regime to move in a positive direction 
while simultaneously warding off international pressure have been 
fruitless.
  The United Nations must re-evaluate its policies and Burmese 
strategy. U.N. pronouncements on Burma have not told the world of the 
full situation in Burma. They have not condemned the military for its 
actions. We need to find a new U.N. envoy to Burma and give this person 
the authority to rally international pressure against Burma's military 
regime.
  Although the United States and a number of other nations have 
increased the pressure on the SPDC, we must encourage other nations, 
particularly Burma's neighbors, to end their support of the current 
regime.
  India must be made aware that $57 million lines of credit to the 
regime and doubling Indo-Burmese trade do not help promote democracy 
and human rights in Burma.
  Thailand must be told that increasing cross border contacts with the 
Burmese government will not bring democracy to Burma, stem the flow of 
refugees across the border, nor end the trade in illegal narcotics 
currently being supported by the Burmese military.
  Freedom will come to Burma. The United States must assist the Burmese 
forces for freedom and democracy. We must do so sooner, not later.

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