[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    MYANMAR'S MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, last month a group of students and Buddhist 
monks led a peaceful protest against the government of Myanmar for its 
decision to cut fuel subsidies, leading to a 100 percent increase in 
fuel prices. The military stepped in, firing into the crowds which left 
at least 10 people dead. By the end of the crackdown, almost 3,000 
people had been detained. In response, many countries around the world 
condemned the violent way in which the government dealt with the 
protesters. Even China, Myanmar's closest ally, gave its support to the 
U.N. mission to resolve the crisis.
  This is not the first case of violence against innocent people in 
Myanmar. In 1988, a crackdown on protesters left almost 3,000 dead. The 
military junta has been ruling the poverty-stricken country of Myanmar 
for over 45 years and since then has clashed with pro-democracy groups 
and has been responsible for the abuse and displacement of a variety of 
ethnic groups.
  The thousands of protesters who lined the streets of Myanmar make it 
clear that people want democracy. Let us not forget that for the anti-
democratic extremists who we frequently see in the news, there are 
thousands of people who peacefully live their lives, hoping for 
democracy to take over. The United States presence in many of these 
countries serves as a reminder that they are not alone. We are there to 
help and to show that democracy does work. We need to step up our 
efforts and our presence, especially in poverty-stricken and war 
ravaged countries in East Asia and Africa, to help end human rights 
abuses and encourage democracy.
  And that's just the way it is.

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