[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 51 (Friday, April 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S2361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 139--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT THE 
PRESIDENT SHOULD TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF 
                                 BURMA

  Mr. LUGAR (for himself, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Inhofe) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 139

       Whereas the ruling junta in Burma, the State Peace and 
     Development Council (SPDC), (recently renamed as the State 
     Supreme Council), did not affirmatively respond to President 
     Barack Obama's initiative to engage with Burma;
       Whereas more than 2000 political prisoners continue to be 
     detained in Burma, even after the release of Aung San Suu 
     Kyi;
       Whereas the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-
     Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-286) 
     established the position of Special Representative and Policy 
     Coordinator for Burma, and President Obama delayed for over 
     two years to nominate a person for that position;
       Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce 
     children, including ethnic minorities, into participating in 
     combat and other military roles;
       Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce 
     civilians, including ethnic minorities, to serve as human 
     minesweepers;
       Whereas the Government of Burma continues to coerce 
     civilians, including ethnic minorities, to serve as porters 
     and assist military personnel;
       Whereas the United States Government successfully mounted a 
     vigorous and multilateral strategy pursuant to United Nations 
     Security Council Resolution 1874 (2009) to deter a North 
     Korean ship, the Kang Nam I, from traveling to its alleged 
     destination in Burma in July 2009;
       Whereas North Korea and Burma are expanding their bilateral 
     military relationship;
       Whereas military and other personnel from North Korea have 
     reportedly been in Burma providing technical and other 
     assistance toward the development of the military 
     capabilities of the Government of Burma;
       Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly 
     provided radar systems and capabilities to the Government of 
     Burma;
       Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly 
     provided missiles and missile technology to the Government of 
     Burma;
       Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly 
     provided underground tunneling technology to the Government 
     of Burma;
       Whereas the Government of North Korea has reportedly 
     provided multiple rocket launchers to the Government of 
     Burma;
       Whereas there are reports that the Governments of North 
     Korea and Burma are collaborating on matters related to the 
     development of Burma's nuclear program;
       Whereas the Governments of Russia and Burma collaborated on 
     the development of Burma's nuclear program;
       Whereas hundreds of persons from Burma have gone to Russia 
     for specialized training, including in the area of nuclear 
     technology;
       Whereas the Government of Burma is acquiring additional MIG 
     aircraft from the Government of Russia;
       Whereas hundreds of thousands of persons have fled Burma 
     since 1988 for safety and to avoid persecution; and
       Whereas, since October 1, 1989, approximately 80,000 
     refugees from Burma have resettled in the United States: Now 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) given the growing relationship between the Governments 
     of Burma and North Korea, the President should provide the 
     Congress with an unclassified report as to the volume of 
     ships and planes from North Korea visiting Burma, via China 
     and elsewhere, in 2009, 2010, and through March 2011;
       (2) the President should provide leadership by calling for 
     an international investigation into allegations of 
     international crimes against civilians in Burma, including 
     ethnic minorities, by the Government of Burma;
       (3) the President should seek the assistance of friends and 
     allies of the United States who actively engage with the 
     Government of Burma and have diplomatic missions in Burma, 
     including Singapore, Japan, and South Korea, to encourage the 
     release of all remaining political prisoners; and
       (4) the President should encourage countries neighboring 
     Burma to establish safe havens for Burmese child soldiers 
     fleeing from forced military service by the Government of 
     Burma.

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