[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 76 (Monday, May 18, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2970-S2971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

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     REPORT ON THE CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY THAT WAS 
  ORIGINALLY DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13047 OF MAY 20, 1997, WITH 
RESPECT TO BURMA, RECEIVED DURING ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE ON MAY 15, 
                              2015--PM 17

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs:

To the Congress of the United States:
  Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) 
provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, 
within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the 
President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the 
Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect 
beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have 
sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice 
stating that the national emergency with respect to Burma that was 
declared on May 20, 1997, is to continue in effect beyond May 20, 2015. 
The Government of Burma has made significant progress across a number 
of important areas, including the release of over 1,300 political 
prisoners, continued progress toward a nationwide cease-fire, the 
discharge of hundreds of child soldiers from the military, steps to 
improve labor standards, and expanding political space for civil 
society to have a greater voice in shaping issues critical to Burma's 
future. In addition, Burma has become a signatory of the International 
Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol and ratified the Biological 
Weapons Convention, significant steps towards supporting global 
nonproliferation. Despite these strides, the situation in the country 
continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national 
security and foreign policy of the United States.
  Concerns persist regarding the ongoing conflict and human rights 
abuses in the country, particularly in ethnic minority areas and 
Rakhine State. In addition, Burma's military operates with little 
oversight from the civilian government and often acts with impunity. 
For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue 
the national emergency with respect to Burma.
  Despite this action, the United States remains committed to 
supporting and strengthening Burma's reform efforts and to continue 
working both with the Burmese government and people to ensure that the 
democratic transition is sustained and irreversible.
                                                        Barack Obama.  
                                         The White House, May 15, 2015.

[[Page S2971]]



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