[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 160 (Thursday, November 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2270-E2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak out for human 
rights in Burma and to call for continued action against this regime. I 
commend my good friend from Pennsylvania, Mr. Pitts for his great 
leadership on this issue and his tremendous efforts on behalf of the 
Burmese people.
  Earlier this year I stood on the floor of this House in support of 
the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. The piece of legislation 
passed this House overwhelmingly, by a vote of 418-2. In the bill, we 
called on the State Department, and especially Secretary of

[[Page E2271]]

State Colin Powell, to use every opportunity to press for freedom and 
democracy in Burma.
  I want to publicly encourage the Secretary to continue his outspoken 
call for freedom in Burma, and suggest some changes in the 
international strategy to bring about democracy and human rights in 
that country.
  It is now clear that United Nations efforts to bring about democracy 
in Burma have completely failed. Rather than making progress, the 
efforts have simply bought time for the regime, and allowed it to 
perpetuate its increasingly brutal stranglehold on power. The United 
Nations envoy to Burma, rather than serving as a positive voice for 
change, has repeatedly bailed out the regime just as critical 
international pressure has begun to make a difference. His defense of 
the regime's head of military intelligence Khin Nyunt is beyond 
unacceptable.
  It is time to review the personnel and mandate on the United Nations 
role in Burma, and to give a qualified mediator the tools they need, 
including access to the United Nations Security Council, to make a 
difference. The State Department should lead the efforts for these 
changes at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
  The process is broken. We need to revamp this system with new actors 
as soon as possible.

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