[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S3645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, the United Nations Human Rights 
Commission adopted a resolution expressing concern with the ``ongoing 
systematic violation of human rights'' of the Burmese people. These 
violations include: extrajudicial killings, rape and other forms of 
violence persistently carried out by members of the armed forces, the 
continued use of torture, political arrests, forced and child labor, 
and systematic use of child soldiers.
  While the Commission's action is welcomed, it is not enough. The 
United Nations Security Council must discuss and debate the immediate 
regional threats that country poses to its neighbors--whether from 
illicit narcotics, HIV/AIDS, trafficked and internally displaced 
persons, or refugees.
  I am dismayed that both China and India reportedly objected to an 
``unbalanced approach'' in the Commission's action against Burma.
  In my view, India can--and should--play a catalytic role in fostering 
change in Burma. I would remind India that such objections serve only 
to tarnish its image as the world's largest democracy, and send the 
wrong message to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Laureate and 
recipient of India's Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International 
Understanding. India should, as it did in the past, stand firmly with 
Burma's democrats and work to foster reconciliation between the 
National League for Democracy, ethnic nationalities and the illegal 
military junta.
  On a separate matter, I want to recognize Ms. Cindy Chang in the 
State Department's Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Cindy works closely 
with the State/Foreign Operations Subcommittee, which I chair, and I 
want the Secretary of State to know how ably Cindy represents that 
Department's--and the President's--interests on the Hill. She is a star 
in that Bureau.

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