[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 159 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 2003

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to express my frustration 
with the ongoing situation in Burma. For the past three years, the 
United Nations, with the full support of the United States, has 
attempted to spur talks between 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung 
San Suu Kyi's political party the National League for Democracy, 
Burma's ruling military regime, and the country's ethnic groups.
  Let me be blunt--that effort and the effort of the U.N. envoy 
designated to carry it out has failed. It has failed mainly because the 
regime refuses to participate in the talks. While the regime promises, 
as it has for the past fifteen years, to make a transition to 
democracy, there is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that this is 
true.
  To make matters worse, the regime has been attacking and killing the 
very people they are supposed to be talking to. In May of this year, 
the regime attacked and killed scores of Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters. 
Just last month, the regime attacked and killed members of the Karen 
ethnic group. And, just a few days ago, the regime opened fire on a 
demonstration of Buddhist monks, killing one and injuring many more.
  We need to breathe new life into this United Nations process, and 
that will require a serious diplomatic effort. To start with, we need a 
new United Nations special envoy for Burma--the present envoy's efforts 
have failed and he as of late has done nothing more than provide 
political cover for the regime. Second, we need the United Nations 
Security Council to pass a resolution condemning Burma. Third, the 
State Department must unequivocally reject ``roadmaps'' that have been 
promised by the Burmese regime and their Thai counterparts.
  I believe that democracy is possible in Burma, and we agree with 
Secretary Powell when he said that we need to rally international 
support to stand up to Burma's ``thugs''. We need to move quickly to 
ensure that these words are acted upon.

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