[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 94 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I want to commend the President for 
renewing import sanctions against the repressive military junta in 
Burma. The quick action of both Congress and the President on this 
matter underscores America's commitment to freedom and justice in that 
country.
  Unfortunately, there have been no significant developments inside 
Burma since I last spoke on this issue several weeks ago. In 2006, 
Burma is expected to assume chairmanship of the Association of 
Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN; there could be no greater loss of face 
to ASEAN or the region.
  I am pleased that some of our allies in the European Union, E.U. have 
taken a principled stand over Burma's participation in the upcoming 
Asia-Europe Meeting, ADEM. However, the United Nations must do more to 
restore democracy to the Burmese people.
  We need a full court press on the junta, which must entail the 
downgrading of diplomatic relations with the illegitimate State Peace 
and Development Council, SPDC, by placing its senior representative in 
Washington on the next flight to Southeast Asia. We do not have a U.S. 
Ambassador in Rangoon; the junta should not have one here.
  I ran into the SPDC's ``ambassador'' in Washington at a July 4th 
celebration at the State Department, and told Mr. Linn Myaing to free 
Burmese democracy leader DAW Aung San Suu Kyi.
  I find it incredible that someone from such an odious regime would be 
invited to celebrate the independence of the freest country in the 
world. Someone is clearly asleep at the wheel over in Foggy Bottom.

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