[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H8401-H8403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CALLING ON THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO IMMEDIATELY CONSIDER 
 AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO RESPOND TO THE GROWING THREAT THAT THE 
   RULING STATE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN BURMA POSES TO THE 
            SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION AND TO THE PEOPLE OF BURMA

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 768) calling on the United Nations Security 
Council to immediately consider and take appropriate action to respond 
to the growing threat that the ruling State Peace and Development 
Council in Burma poses to the Southeast Asia region and to the people 
of Burma.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 768

       Whereas the ruling State Peace and Development Council in 
     Burma, formerly known as the State Law and Order Restoration 
     Council, continues to refuse to uphold the 1990 election 
     results in which the National League for Democracy, led by 
     Aung San Suu Kyi, won 392 of the 485 contested parliamentary 
     seats;
       Whereas the ruling State Peace and Development Council in 
     Burma has imprisoned or placed under house arrest Aung San 
     Suu Kyi on a nearly continuous basis since 1995, most 
     recently since May 2003 when she and National League for 
     Democracy supporters were violently assaulted by government-
     affiliated forces;
       Whereas according to the Department of State's 2003 Country 
     Reports on Human Rights Practices, security forces of the 
     ruling State Peace and Development Council in Burma continue 
     to commit extrajudicial killings, rape, engage in torture, 
     forcibly relocate persons, use forced labor, and conscript 
     child soldiers;
       Whereas in December of 2003 the United Nations General 
     Assembly adopted a resolution expressing grave concern about 
     the ongoing systematic violations of human rights abuses 
     occurring against the people of Burma; and
       Whereas the situation in Burma poses a threat to regional 
     stability because of the continuous cross border flow of 
     illegal narcotics, trafficked persons, and the unchecked 
     spread of HIV/AIDS; because of the State Peace and 
     Development Council's reported efforts to acquire military 
     hardware from the People's Republic of China, the Russian 
     Federation, and North Korea; and because of the destabilizing 
     effects of the flight of over 200,000 refugees to Thailand 
     and Bangladesh in an attempt to escape systematic terrorizing 
     by the Burmese military: Now, therefore, be it--
       Resolved,  That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that the United Nations Security Council 
     should immediately consider and take appropriate action to 
     respond to the growing threat that the ruling State Peace and 
     Development Council in Burma poses to the Southeast Asia 
     region and to the people of Burma.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo).

[[Page H8402]]

                             General Leave

  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today Burma is ruled by one of the world's most brutal 
military dictatorships. The State Peace and Development Council, the 
SPDC, rules through an insidious system of extrajudicial killings, 
rape, torture, conscription of child soldiers, and the use of modern 
day slavery. To date, approximately 2 million Burmese have been 
forcibly displaced because of the horrific policy of this regime.
  Further, Mr. Speaker, the SPDC has arrested approximately 1,300 
individuals for merely expressing critical opinions of the existing 
regime, including the leader of the National League For Democracy, Aung 
San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the U.S. 
Presidential Medal of Freedom. My colleagues will also recall that her 
party, the National League for Democracy, continues to be rebuffed from 
claiming the right to govern, despite having won 392 of the 485 
contested parliamentary seats in 1990.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 768 will put Congress on record that the United 
Nations Security Council must take immediate action with regard to the 
ruling regime in Burma. This regime poses a serious threat to the 
regional stability of Southeast Asia. They have allowed the continuous 
cross-border flow of illegal narcotics, trafficked persons, and the 
unchecked spread of HIV/AIDS.
  In addition, the SPDC has attempted to acquire military hardware from 
the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and North 
Korea.
  Finally, the repressive nature of the Burmese regime has led to the 
flight of over 200,000 refugees into Thailand and Bangladesh which, in 
turn, has led to severe problems in those nations.
  It is time for the United Nations Security Council to take action to 
respond to the growing threat of Southeast Asia and the people of 
Burma. With the United Kingdom and the United States chairing the 
United Nations Security Council respectively in October and November, 
we should use this opportunity to press for action by the Security 
Council on Burma.
  This resolution has strong bipartisan support, has 27 cosponsors, 
including the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the chairman of the 
Human Rights Caucus; and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), 
the Ranking Member of the Committee on International Relations.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important measure, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution, and I 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Burmese government is one of the worst violators of 
internationally-recognized human rights. Democratic leader Aung San Suu 
Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner, was thrown into prison after her 1990 
electoral win and remains under tight house arrest.
  About 5 years ago I was privileged to travel to Burma with a then 
colleague Tom Campbell, a member from California, and we were able to 
persuade the Burmese government to allow us to visit with Aung San Suu 
Kyi, and we had a meeting with her and our U.S. embassy. She was very 
defiant. She said she would remain under house arrest until the 
government of Burma would recognize the election of 1990.
  Countless other leaders in the opposition National League for 
Democracy remain behind bars. Many of the elders who we met with were 
defiant and were also considered enemies of the government.
  High-level representatives from the United Nations and other nations 
have tried for several years to encourage the Burmese government, the 
Burmese junta to enter into a true national reconciliation with the 
opposition. Sadly, the Burmese government has repeatedly rebuffed these 
important diplomatic efforts. They simply seem to have no interest.
  As a result, the United States recently renewed import sanctions 
against Burma for another year and has continued to ratchet up 
diplomatic and economic pressure on the government of Burma on this 
terrible regime.

                              {time}  0300

  But, Mr. Speaker, pressure from the United States on Burma to move 
toward freedom and democracy will only bear fruit if our allies join us 
in imposing sanctions.
  The resolution before the House urges the United Nations Security 
Council to consider and take appropriate action to respond to the 
growing threat that the Burmese government poses to the Southeast Asia 
region. Consideration by the Security Council of the situation in Burma 
is long overdue, and I hope that this important resolution will further 
encourage Security Council members to move forward with the concrete 
multi-lateral strategy to promotes democracy and freedom in Burma.
  It is another opportunity that the People's Republic of China who is 
benefiting so much from normal trade relations with the United States, 
previously called the special trade relations but now normal trade 
relations, most favored nation status, that they had before and still 
have, could use its influence and power in Burma since they are a 
growing power in that area. The same way that we would urge the Chinese 
to use its influence in the Security Council and its influence with 
Sudan to urge that government to change its ways. And so this is an 
opportunity for the People's Republic of China to show that it is 
moving into the 21st century, into the new millennium with a new 
responsibility if it, indeed, is going to continue to benefit from the 
tremendous relations that it has with the United States.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 768, a 
measure symbolizing the deep concern of the House of Representatives 
with the deplorable situation in Burma.
  Burma presents one of the most complicated and vexing foreign policy 
challenges in Asia for the United States and the world community. 
Numerous political prisoners remain in detention, including one of the 
most remarkable and courageous leaders of our time, Aung San Suu Kyi. 
The issue is how the U.S. can best secure their release and help start 
a meaningful political dialogue in Burma, while also endeavoring to 
advance a panoply of other priorities, including stable democratic 
governance, human rights, counternarcotics, regional stability, 
combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as economic and human 
development.
  As we all understand, in response to repeated efforts by the ruling 
military to thwart the democratic aspirations of the Burmese people as 
well as to ongoing serious human rights violations, the U.S. has been 
compelled to utilize sanctions and coercive diplomacy as the 
centerpiece of our policy. those sanctions were renewed earlier this 
year.
  In this context, it should be self-evident that the U.S. is 
confronted by multiple dilemmas in pursuing our objectives in Burma. 
For illustrative purposes, I would note just a few: the strongly 
nationalistic, self-centered outlook of the ruling regime; the reliance 
by the military elite on an illicit, underground economy for power and 
survival; the inability of major industrial countries to agree on 
comprehensive sanctions as the basis for a common strategy; competition 
for geopolitical influence in Burma between China and India; and the 
ongoing humanitarian crisis for the people of Burma--including for many 
ethnic minority groups along the country's borders--that calls out for 
a more robust and humane international response.
  In this regard, as we look at analogies in human history, one that 
appears credible and reasonable from an American perspective in south 
Africa. As we examine the south African analogy of Nelson Mandela and 
the African National Congress to Aung San Suu Kyi and the National 
League for Democracy, it is important to note that when we considered 
sanctions in the United States it was a very serious debate, and 
Congress weighted heavily the fact that Mandela and the ANC were 
supportive of sanctions.
  The second aspect of the South African analogy, and here is where the 
analogy begins to break down, the United States was supported by a 
number of countries in Western Europe. In fact, if anything, our 
traditional western European allies were stronger supporters of 
sanctions than the United States. Although America became the linchpin 
country, several European countries that had long-term relations with 
South Africa were more forward-leaning than the United States and very 
supportive of sanctions.

[[Page H8403]]

  In this regard, from a leadership perspective, there is some 
discomfort that the rest of the world is not following the American 
lead on Burma, not only in Asia and most particularly ASEAN, but also 
Western Europe.
  As a general proposition in international affairs, and we are seeing 
this most clearly in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, Europe is 
looking at American leadership as being too inclined to draw ``lines in 
the sand'' and not sufficiently attuned to nuance distinctions in 
foreign affairs. There may be some truth in this critique, but I think 
Burma is the one circumstance where they are most clearly wrong, that 
this is a ``line in the sand'' place, and this is a situation in which 
we should be expecting far more from Europe.
  The good news is that the EU has begun to put a bit more pressure on 
the SPDC by demanding, for example, that ASEAN downgrade Burma's first-
ever representation at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi in 
October. The forum, begun in 1996, brings together the European Union 
and 10 Asian nations, including China, Japan, and South Korea. This 
year marks the group's formal enlargement, adding the 10 new EU members 
who joined in May along with Burma, Cambodia and Laos. The summit 
formally opens on October 8, 2004.
  Here it is positive that the EU has set a deadline for this Friday--
the start of the summit--for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house 
arrest and for allowing her National League for Democracy party an 
integral role in drafting a new constitution. My understanding is that 
if the deadline elapsed without progress, the EU is prepared to enact a 
set of ``intensified sanctions'' reportedly consisting of a visa ban on 
junta officials and a halt to international funding for Burma. Having 
said that, it should be understood that these enhanced sanctions are 
rather modest in their scope and effect, in that the EU has imposed a 
visa ban since 1996 and that for well over a decade Burma has been 
effectively barred from lending by the international financial 
institutions.
  It is also a hopeful sign that United Nations Secretary General Kofi 
Annan is also taking increased interest in the situation in Burma. The 
United States was appreciative of the fact that on September 29 the 
Secretary General convened a meeting with his special envoy to Burma 
Ambassador Razali Ismail and concerned U.N. members to discuss the lack 
of progress toward democracy and national reconciliation in Burma. The 
Congress joins with the executive branch in urging the Secretary 
General to remain focused on this matter and we hope and expect that 
his engagement will generate more international community cooperation 
on this vital issue. In this context, I would urge the Burmese 
authorities to promptly allow Ambassador Razali to return to Burma and 
to conduct additional visits as he deems necessary.
  All Americans remain deeply concerned by the continued detention of 
courageous democracy advocate and Nobel peace Prize Laureate Aung San 
Suu Kyi, the failure of the junta to permit the National League for 
Democracy (NLD) to open its offices nationwide and operate freely, the 
junta's refusal to release over a thousand political prisoners, the 
recent arrest of political activists and the sentencing of four NLD 
members for illegal political activities.
  As noted by the Department of State, America's position is clear: 
``the Burmese people's desire for a national reconciliation and the 
establishment of democracy must be respected.'' We again call upon the 
Burmese leadership to take tangible steps, including the immediate 
release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, the full and 
free participation of the National League for Democracy and 
representatives of the ethnic minorities in the National Convention and 
the initiation of a meaningful dialogue to advance national 
reconciliation and the establishment of democracy.
  I urge support for the resolution.
  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H. Res. 768, calling on the 
United Nations Security Council to immediately consider a resolution on 
Burma. I urge all members to support this important legislation.
  Burma's military regime is one of the worst governments in the world. 
There is a complete lack of freedom of speech, religion, press, and 
basic human rights. They should be treated as a pariah in the 
international community.
  Burma's ruling military uses forced labor, rape, torture, and 
imprisonment as a means to quiet opposition and suppress the Burmese 
people. Innocent women and children are often used as minesweepers and 
the government continues to commit numerous other gross human rights 
violations against ethnic minorities. This abuse of the innocent people 
of Burma must end.
  Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled into other countries to 
seek safety. In Thailand, border towns are packed with refugees forced 
to live their lives in camps or illegally as migrant workers. 
Conditions are rough and tensions run high.
  Sadly, the situation in Burma continues to worsen. Just last week 
there were two reports of attacks on Karen and Karenni villages where 
unknown numbers of villagers were killed. Homes, schools and clinics 
were burned. Civilians are forced to flee into the jungle to avoid 
attack. Attacks are common with the typical village moving every 3 
months to avoid attacks. Cut off from humanitarian aid, thousands of 
people are trapped in the jungle, constantly moving to avoid attacks. 
After attacks, it is common for the military to lay landmines 
throughout the villages to try to deter the villagers from ever 
returning.
  We must not forget that while Burma continues to commit unspeakable 
abuses against its people, its democratically elected leader, Aung San 
Suu Kyi, remains under house arrest and the desire for democracy runs 
strong among the people of Burma. We must send a clear signal to the 
government of Burma that no amount of repression will legitimize their 
government. They must immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, all 
political prisoners, cease attacking ethnic minorities, and allow true 
democracy and freedom to flourish in Burma.
  I urge every Member to vote in support of this important legislation. 
We must send a strong message to the Government of Burma that the 
United States stands with the people of Burma and their quest for 
democracy.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Ose). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tancredo) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 768.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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