[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 186 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2011

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned about the international 
community's recent trust in assurances that Burma is opening up to the 
world and becoming a true democracy in which the rights of all people 
in Burma are protected. There have been some positive steps taken 
recently by the dictators, however, until we see permanency in these 
changes, we would all do well to remain deeply cautious.
  One important issue the Secretary of State addressed during her visit 
this week to Burma regarded the attacks by the dictatorship's troops 
against the ethnic minorities. It is vital, and I cannot emphasize this 
enough, that leaders of the various ethnic groups be included in any 
and all discussions, dialogue and decision about the future of Burma. I 
would call your attention to the call by the U.N. for a tri-partite 
dialogue--all three parties, the dictatorship, the democracy groups and 
the ethnic groups, must be included fully in all negotiations and 
agreements in order for true change to come to Burma. This is even more 
important when, during this visit and the recent ASEAN meetings, the 
dictatorship was violently attacking one or more ethnic groups.
  A few years ago, I submitted a Statement for this Record describing 
the Advanced Light Helicopters that India sold to Burma. The dictators 
of Burma used these, plus other military hardware sold to them by a 
variety of nations against the ethnic minority civilian populations. 
The brutality of Burma's Generals against the ethnic minorities has not 
stopped, even during this time when they are allegedly making 
democratic reforms. Therefore, we as a democratic, free nation must be 
extremely careful of what the Generals are really up to--they haven't 
proven themselves trustworthy in the past.
  I would like to submit for the Record, a short letter to the 
Secretary from Ms. Zipporah Sein, Secretary General of the Karen 
National Union.
  I urge the Secretary of State, when engaging in further dialogues 
with the Burmese government, to proceed with the utmost caution.

         Office of the Supreme Headquarters, Karen National Union, 
           Kawthoolei,
                                                November 25, 2011.
     Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton,
     Secretary of State,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Secretary: Thank you for your constant support 
     and encouragement for the people of Burma.
       The leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU), welcome your 
     engagement with the government of Burma and your leadership 
     alongside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to bring to the forefront the 
     need to see an end to the ongoing conflicts in the ethnic 
     states and an end to the oppression of all people inside 
     Burma.
       We the KNU would like to ask you to take the lead to 
     recognize the desires of all the ethnic groups, both armed 
     and unarmed, to be treated as equals in the effort to 
     establish a genuine federal union: A union that recognizes 
     the rule of law and recognizes the equality of all.
       We invite you to meet with ethnic leaders from all of the 
     ethnic organizations both armed and unarmed as we move 
     forward to work toward a peaceful and stable nation where our 
     citizens can truly be free from governmental oppression. We 
     need your help and your engagement with all of us.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Zipporah Sein,
     General Secretary, Karen National Union.

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