[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 76 (Monday, May 18, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            AUNG SAN SUU KYI

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would like to briefly discuss a 
troubling situation a world away in Burma. The situation involves Nobel 
Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who, this very morning, stood 
trial--stood trial this very morning--for permitting a misguided soul 
to enter her house.
  With some regularity, we in the West are reminded of the tyranny that 
exists in this troubled land.
  In 2007, Buddhist monks and other peaceful Burmese protesters were 
brutally put down by Government authorities. Scores were slain, 
hundreds more were imprisoned or had to flee the country simply to 
survive.
  In 2008, Burma was lashed by a terrible cyclone. This natural 
disaster was exacerbated by a manmade disaster: the dismal relief and 
response effort of the governing State Peace and Development Council, 
which refused outside aid in the immediate aftermath, resulting in 
untold numbers of Burmese citizens dying. At the same time, the regime 
devoted its energies to its referendum of its new Constitution, a 
document clearly intended to permanently entrench military rule.
  In 2009, this familiar pattern of governmental malfeasance has 
continued. First, the Government refused to permit Suu Kyi's doctor to 
see her, despite her very poor health. Then the Government took the 
flimsiest of pretexts to drag Suu Kyi into this trial.
  It was in this context that the Obama administration last week issued 
an Executive order extending for another year sanctions against the 
Burmese regime. I applaud the administration for taking this step, and 
I look forward to working with the administration once it has concluded 
its review of Burma policy, which I have discussed on several occasions 
with Secretary Clinton.
  The Government of Burma should be aware that its actions are highly 
troubling to democracies the world over. This is reflected not only in 
the administration's new Executive order but also in the strong support 
the Burmese people enjoy in the Senate. My colleagues and I on both 
sides of the aisle will continue to follow Suu Kyi's trial with great 
interest and deep concern.

  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SPECTER. 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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