[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8165-S8166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 320--CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF BURMA ON THEIR 
                    COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL ELECTIONS

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

                              S. Res. 320

       Whereas Burma conducted general elections on November 8 
     2015, the country's first national vote since a civilian 
     government was introduced in 2011 that ended nearly 50 years 
     of military rule;
       Whereas the people of Burma have, by their vigorous 
     participation in electoral campaigning and public debate, 
     strengthened

[[Page S8166]]

     the foundations of a free and democratic way of life;
       Whereas preliminary reports indicate that voter turnout 
     exceeded 80 percent;
       Whereas international observers have reported that election 
     day was largely free and fair and conducted in an orderly and 
     peaceful fashion despite broader structural concerns such as 
     the disenfranchisement of the Rohingya;
       Whereas the ruling military-backed Union Solidarity 
     Development Party suffered a dramatic loss at the polls, and 
     the National League for Democracy won a sizable majority in 
     both chambers of Burma's Union Parliament, the Pyidaungsu 
     Hluttaw, and will select Burma's next President;
       Whereas Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has 
     symbolized the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma 
     and has actively supported democratic reform through her 
     leadership of the National League for Democracy;
       Whereas the National League for Democracy espouses a policy 
     of nonviolent movement towards multi-party democracy in 
     Burma, supports national reconciliation, and endorses 
     strengthening democratic institutions, protecting human 
     rights, implementing free market economic reforms, and 
     reinforcing rule of law;
       Whereas President Thein Sein and Commander-in-Chief Min Aug 
     Hlaing made public commitments to respect the election 
     results and vowed to abide by the law to ensure an orderly 
     and prompt transition to a new government;
       Whereas the continued democratic development of Burma is a 
     matter of fundamental importance to the advancement of United 
     States interests in Southeast Asia and is supported by the 
     United States Senate:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the people of Burma for embracing 
     democracy through their participation in the November 8, 2015 
     general elections and for their continuing efforts in 
     developing a free, democratic society that respects 
     internationally-recognized human rights;
       (2) recognizes the National League for Democracy's victory 
     as a reflection of the will of the Burmese people;
       (3) calls on the Union Solidarity Development Party to 
     undertake a peaceful transfer of power and abide by the law 
     to ensure an orderly and prompt transition to a new 
     government;
       (4) encourages all parties to pursue national 
     reconciliation talks and work together in the spirit of 
     national unity to seek what is best for the country;
       (5) recognizes that while the Government of Burma has made 
     important progress towards democratization, there remain 
     important impediments to the realization of full democratic 
     and civilian government, including the reservation of 
     unelected seats for the military and the disenfranchisement 
     of groups of people including the Rohingya;
       (6) expresses hope that newly elected members of parliament 
     and a prompt and orderly transition to a new government will 
     herald a new generation of responsible leadership in Burma;
       (7) calls on the Government of Burma to support meaningful 
     efforts to reform the 2008 Constitution of Burma, with the 
     full and unfettered participation of the people of Burma and 
     in a manner that promotes and protects democratic development 
     of Burma and safeguards against arbitrary interference by the 
     military;
       (8) supports negotiations between the Government of Burma 
     and ethnic-based peoples and organizations;
       (9) encourages the President of the United States to take 
     further steps toward normalization of relations with Burma 
     and consider the potential relaxation of restrictions should 
     the Union Solidarity Development Party respect the election 
     results and proceed with a prompt and orderly transition in 
     power; and
       (10) reaffirms that the people of the United States will 
     continue to stand with the people of Burma in support of 
     democracy, partnership, and peace.

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