[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 19 (Tuesday, February 2, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 BURMA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Now, on another matter, the United States and 
democratic countries around the world are anxiously watching events in 
Burma. I have had an interest in Burma for many years, since I chaired 
the Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations.
  Just last November, here on the floor, I cautiously celebrated 
Burma's recent elections. I warned that its military remained a toxic 
influence and an obstacle to democratic progress.
  Sure enough, the world was horrified over the weekend when Burma's 
military rounded up the country's civilian political leadership, 
including Aung San Suu Kyi and civil society leaders. The military was 
afraid the popular support of the new government would yield the 
constitutional economic reforms they long opposed. So they tried to 
simply claim control for themselves.
  I spoke with President Biden and Secretary Blinken yesterday about 
the situation in Burma. The new administration deserves credit for 
approaching the situation in a way that is bipartisan and coordinated 
with Congress.
  The world is watching. I hope and expect the United States will 
quickly make the obvious legal determination that this is a military 
coup and impose significant costs on the military for its attack on 
democracy. We already have sanctions in place against key military 
officials in that country, and Congress has already given the executive 
branch the authorities it actually needs to swiftly apply even more 
sanctions to the military and its infiltration into Burma's economy.
  But we will also need the help of our friends and allies to 
effectively pressure the junta. It is time for freedom-loving nations 
to stand up for democracy and impose their own meaningful costs on the 
military junta.
  The Chinese Communist Party's state news organ dismissively called 
the events in Burma a ``major cabinet reshuffle.'' A ``cabinet 
reshuffle''? That is a joke and the free world knows it. This is a 
military coup and an attack on democracy--plain and simple.
  There are two paths before Burma. It can continue to grow into a 
modern, democratic country connected to the global economy or remain a 
corrupt, impoverished authoritarian backwater in the shadow of the 
People's Republic of China.
  The people of Burma have said which they prefer. They have spoken at 
the ballot box. The threat of force must not be allowed to silence 
their choice.

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