[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 2, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12389-S12390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the British statesman Edmund Burke once 
wrote: ``When bad men combine, the good must associate.'' Such vivid 
moral clarity is nowhere better reflected than in the recent events 
involving Burma.
  In Burma, we have indeed witnessed the combination of bad men--a 
combination of corrupt military junta leaders and compliant thugs in 
the Burmese security forces.
  This combination recently carried out the brutal suppression of 
peaceful protests in Burma, killing and imprisoning untold numbers of 
nonviolent demonstrators, including scores of Buddhist monks.
  What is now needed is for the good to associate.

[[Page S12390]]

  The global struggle against terrorism has compelled us to increase 
our foreign policy engagement in places such as the Horn of Africa, 
Indonesia, and the Philippines.
  In the coming decades, we must realize that China and India are two 
countries that will play a larger role on the world stage.
  One would have hoped that as India takes on a greater role as a 
regional power, and as a growing economic power, that pro-democracy 
elements within Burma could look to associate with its next-door 
neighbor, the largest democracy on the planet.
  Our Nation is pursuing a closer relationship with India in terms of 
military-to-military contacts and in the development of nuclear energy. 
India should be wary of coddling the junta in Burma.
  The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, recently put out a 
strong statement condemning the brutality in Burma. Instead of echoing 
the sentiments of Burma's ASEAN neighbors, the Indian Government has 
only issued tepid statements at best.
  In so doing, India has put itself in league with China and Russia.
  This is all the more troubling since India had been supportive of 
Burmese reformers in the early 1990s.
  As India assumes a greater role on the world stage, more will be 
asked of it, and this is just such a case. India needs to recognize 
that responsibility and abstain from supporting the military junta in 
Burma.
  India needs to use its influence as Asia's longest-lived democracy to 
associate with the pro-democracy forces of Burma and press for reforms.
  Understandably, India has important interests in its neighbor to the 
east. For one, India wants to counter the influence of China in Burma. 
That said, it should look beyond its near-term interests.
  What better way to blunt Chinese influence in Burma than to work to 
bring about a Burma that reflects the Indian values of democracy and 
openness, rather than a Burma that reflects the antidemocratic values 
of the Chinese Government?
  Mr. President, I strongly urge the Indian Government to reconsider 
its position on Burma; to speak directly to the regime's recent 
actions; and to work for the cause of democracy and reconciliation in 
Burma.
  Only then can the combination of bad men leading Burma be checked.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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