[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 156 (Tuesday, October 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S12941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCAIN:
  S. 2172. A bill to impose sanctions on officials of the State Peace 
and Development Council in Burma, to prohibit the importation of gems 
and hardwoods from Burma, to support democracy in Burma, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, the world has reacted with horror and 
revulsion at the Burmese junta's recent brutal crackdown against 
peaceful demonstrators. In crushing the Saffron Revolution, killing 
hundreds and jailing thousands, including countless Buddhist monks, the 
junta has left no doubt about its blatant disregard for basic human 
decency. We, as Americans, stand on the side of freedom, not fear; of 
peace, not violence; and of the millions in Burma who aspire to a 
better life, not those who would keep them isolated and oppressed.
  Our response must go beyond statements of condemnation, and the time 
to act is now. That is why today I am introducing the Saffron 
Revolution Support Act of 2007 in the U.S. Senate. This legislation 
imposes meaningful and effective punitive action against the cruel, 
thuggish, and illegitimate Burmese government. We must not sit idly by 
while the junta continues to deprive the Burmese people of their 
fundamental human rights.
  This legislation would impose targeted sanctions against Burmese 
officials who played a direct role in the violent repression of 
peaceful political dissent, and also against those who provide, or have 
provided, substantial political and economic support for the junta. 
These individuals would be subject to a visa ban and a ban on business 
dealings with any United States entity or person. This legislation 
would also close a loophole that exists in current U.S. import policy 
that allows imports of Burmese gems and hardwoods, which together add 
tens of millions of dollars to the junta's coffers. It would eliminate 
the remaining U.S. energy investment in Burma's gas sector and 
significantly increase U.S. Government support for democracy in Burma.
  Specifically, the Saffron Revolution Support Act of 2007: states that 
it is the policy of the United States to condemn the Burmese junta's 
continued repressions, support the democratic aspirations of the 
Burmese people, provide support to aid a democratic transition in 
Burma, and hold accountable those individuals responsible for the 
ongoing repression; imposes targeted financial sanctions against 
Burmese officials who played a direct role in the violent repression of 
peaceful political dissent, and also against those who provide, or have 
provided, substantial political and economic support for the junta 
government; imposes a visa ban on these individuals; prohibits the 
importation of Burmese gems and hardwoods, including materials that are 
mined or harvested in Burma but shaped, cut, or assembled in other 
countries not subject to current U.S. sanctions; prohibits investment 
in Burma by U.S. companies, including investment agreements reached 
prior to the imposition of the May 20, 1997 sanctions; permits the 
President to terminate sanctions once the Government of Burma has: 
unconditionally released all political prisoners, including Aung San 
Suu Kyi and other members of the National League for Democracy; entered 
into a substantive dialogue with democratic forces on a transition to 
democratic government under the rule of law; allowed humanitarian 
access to populations affected by armed conflict in all regions of 
Burma; authorizes $20 million for FY 2008 and FY 2009 in aid to 
democracy activists in Burma, for the expansion of radio and television 
broadcasting into Burma, and for support to individuals and groups 
compiling evidence of the junta's crimes; expresses the sense of 
Congress that the Director of National Intelligence should target 
intelligence resources to identify those responsible for the crackdown 
and for other human rights abuses; authorizes the Secretary of State to 
fund the establishment of an independent, searchable, Internet database 
that would compile evidence of human rights abuses in Burma, permitting 
increased international research aimed at holding human rights abusers 
accountable; requires a report by the Secretary of State on 
international sources of military aid to the Burmese regime.
  The next phase of political life in Burma has begun. The junta's 
thugs cannot forever postpone the blossoming of freedom and democracy 
within its nation's borders. By enacting the Saffron Revolution Support 
Act of 2007, the Congress can help ensure that they do not. I urge my 
colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation.

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