[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2426-E2427]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       U.S. POLICY TOWARDS BURMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, today the Senate Foreign Relations 
Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs held a hearing on U.S. 
policy towards Burma. I would like to contribute some remarks on this 
important topic. I represent the Third District of Indiana, which is 
home to the largest concentration of people from Burma in the U.S. In 
recent years, resettlement agencies have placed well over 2,000 
refugees in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fort Wayne has also become a 
``community of choice'' amongst the refugee community, and secondary 
migrants have increased Fort Wayne's population of people from Burma to 
over 6,000. As a result, the Third District is acutely aware of the 
atrocities and suffering that the people from Burma have faced at the 
hands of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
  I am disappointed that this hearing, which is intended to evaluate 
the role the U.S. can play in facilitating democratic reform, did not 
invite testimony from a single representative of Burma's democracy 
movement or one individual who has endured the violence of the 
Tatmadow. A thorough evaluation is impossible without their 
perspective.
  Over the years, U.N. reports have documented some of the military 
regime's harrowing crimes, including widespread rape, conscription of 
child soldiers, torture, and the destruction of thousands of villages. 
It is clear that the SPDC has in part been conducting a war against its 
own citizens.
  In spite of these realities, the Administration has recently engaged 
in direct dialogues with the Burmese regime and the Senate Committee's 
hearings today are in part seeking to reevaluate the role of sanctions 
in U.S. policy. I support the establishment of a peaceful and 
democratic Burma. However, it is improbable that this can be achieved 
through negotiations with the junta--a dictatorship will not act in 
good faith and broker a deal that will lead to its own demise.
  Before such dramatic changes in policy can be made, it is necessary 
for the military dictatorship to demonstrate a clear movement towards 
democracy. This must include ending the current violence against its 
citizens, installing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to her rightful place as 
Burma's democratically elected Prime Minister, and drafting a 
constitution that creates the possibility for true civilian leadership.

[[Page E2427]]

Until we see this kind of progress, the U.S. cannot give validity to 
this illegitimate government.

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