[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20052]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SINGAPORE SHOULD INCREASE PRESSURE ON BURMA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I do not intend to delay consideration 
of the U.S.-Singapore free-trade agreement, but I do want to take a 
moment to highlight a significant step that Singapore can take today to 
further the cause of freedom in Burma.
  It has been reported, by U.N. Special Envoy Razali Ismail and others, 
that the repressive and illegitimate State Peace and Development 
Council, SPDC, has assets tucked away in Singapore financial 
institutions. Given the many illicit activities of the SPDC, one can 
rightfully question the source of these funds.
  Like the United States, Singapore should immediately freeze the 
SPDC's assets until such time that democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi 
and other all democrats are freed from detention and a process of 
national reconciliation is agreed to and implemented by all parties--
the National League for Democracy, ethnic nationalities, and the SPDC.
  Such action not only underscores Singapore's commitment to the rule 
of law throughout the region, but places much needed pressure on the 
junta in Rangoon to change their oppressive ways.
  Southeast Asian countries can no longer ignore the many threats to 
regional stability posed by the generals in Burma. The situation in 
Burma should be a matter of concern to all of Burma's neighbors--and 
the U.N. Security Council.

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