[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BLOCK BURMESE, JADE (JUNTA'S ANTI-DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS) ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2007

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of extending additional 
import sanctions against the repressive Burmese military junta. This 
regime has steadfastly refused to make progress--not only with respect 
to its abhorrent and inexcusable human rights record, but also in 
preventing democracy to take root in Burma.
  This past July, the House and Senate passed a bill which renewed our 
import ban against all Burmese products. Unfortunately, shortly after 
our renewal of the ban, the situation in Burma took a grave turn for 
the worse. As we all know, in September 2007, Buddhist monks led 
demonstrations in Burma, which ultimately culminated in an estimated 
100,000 people marching through Rangoon. The peaceful protestors called 
for improvements in human rights, democratic processes, and the release 
of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who 
still lives under unjustified house arrest.
  The Burmese regime responded to these peaceful demonstrations with a 
violent crackdown that led to deaths and hundreds more injuries. In 
addition, according to human rights groups, thousands of individuals 
have been arrested, tortured, or otherwise intimidated based on the 
regime's belief that these individuals participated in the protests.
  These recent events make clear that it is time to strengthen our 
sanctions by putting a full stop on trade in Burmese rubies and 
jadeite, the sales of which finance the Burmese regime. While we need 
to act unilaterally, we also need to structure our strengthened import 
ban in a way that encourages and paves the way for multilateral 
pressure on the military regime. A multilateral effort that truly 
squeezes the junta is the only way sanctions will lead to real, lasting 
reform.
  The Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over import 
matters, has done just that. Working with the Foreign Affairs 
Committee, my committee was able to refine provisions so that all 
Burmese rubies and jadeite--and jewelry containing these Burmese 
stones--could fall under the purview of the current ban, even if the 
jewelry was made in, and exported from, a third country.
  While we believe the changes the Ways and Means Committee made to 
this legislation maximize our compliance with U.S. international 
obligations, the added provisions also open the door to building a 
multilateral consensus at the United Nations and World Trade 
Organization to prevent trade in Burmese rubies and jadeite. Modeled 
after the successful conflict diamonds legislation, the provisions my 
committee added are proven and administrable.
  At the same time, however, I am concerned about the provisions 
relating to the Generalized System of Preferences. While I understand 
the need to avoid unduly harming third countries affected by this ban, 
I believe that the approach outlined in this bill creates a number of 
problems and doesn't create a solid basis for holding these countries 
harmless. It is our expectation that there will be continued work with 
Chairman Rangel and the other body to solve these problems as this bill 
moves forward.
  For these reasons, I urge support of H.R. 3890, as amended.

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