*EPF309 07/16/2003
Text: Senate Passes Burma Sanctions Bill
(Deputy Majority Leader McConnell hails passage) (1610)

The Senate passed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 overwhelmingly, according to one of the strongest backers of that legislation in Congress.

In a news release from his office, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican of Kentucky), hailed the July 16 passage of the act.

The second most powerful Republican in the Senate said the legislation that would impose sanctions on the military junta in Rangoon would be sent to President Bush for his signature.

"With the passage of this Act, our work on this issue is hardly over," said the Kentucky Republican.

"The people of Burma can count on America's continued support for the struggle for freedom in their country. I intend to seize every opportunity to advance this cause both in Washington and abroad," he said.

"Democracy and the rule of law will prevail in Burma," predicted McConnell.

"With this historic vote this morning, I'm reminded of the Reverend Martin Luther King's observation that the 'arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.'"

He called on Americans to "never tire in the pursuit of justice in long-suffering Burma."

McConnell said that pursuit of justice would continue until Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was free and the struggle for freedom in her homeland won.

Following is the text of McConnell's release:

(begin text)

Press Release of Senator McConnell

Senator McConnell's Legislation Imposing U.S. Sanctions on Burma Passes Congress

McConnell's bill now goes to President Bush for his signature

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) thanked his colleagues in Congress today for approving his legislation imposing a United States import ban on goods manufactured in Burma and other sanctions targeting the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act overwhelmingly passed the Senate today; it now goes to President George W. Bush for his signature.

"With the passage of this Act, our work on this issue is hardly over," said McConnell. "The people of Burma can count on America's continued support for the struggle for freedom in their country. I intend to seize every opportunity to advance this cause both in Washington and abroad."

McConnell added, "Democracy and the rule of law will prevail in Burma. With this historic vote this morning, I'm reminded of the Reverend Martin Luther King's observation that the "arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice". We must never tire in the pursuit of justice in long-suffering Burma until Suu Kyi is free and the struggle for freedom won."

Earlier today, Senator McConnell delivered the following statement on the Senate floor:

"Mr. President, Suu Kyi has kindled the flame of freedom in the hearts and minds of her compatriots. America must ensure that it is never extinguished.

"Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues in both the Senate and House for acting quickly on the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. The 418-2 vote in the House yesterday compliments the 97-1 vote we had on a very similar bill in the Senate on June 11th.

"The message from the United States Congress to the world could not be more clear - the assault on freedom in Burma will not stand.

"With the cooperation and support of my colleagues in the Senate, the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act will shortly be on its way to the White House for signature by the President.

"When the people of Burma needed support in their struggle for freedom, America acted - and acted decisively.

"Unfortunately, there has been no change in the situation in Burma since this measure was first introduced.

"It is an outrage and a violation of human decency that democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other democrats continue to be held by the thugs calling themselves the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Instead of giving the world access to Suu Kyi, Burmese strongman General Than Shwe has dispatched his minions to regional capitals on a misinformation campaign laying blame for the May 30th ambush on Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). Few should be duped by this desperate measure, and an import ban and other sanctions against Burma cannot come soon enough.

"More must be done to support the struggle of freedom in Burma. It is past time that neighbors - especially Thailand and China - take off their blinders to the multitude of dangers posed by Burma to the region. We already know that HIV/AIDS and drug use unravels the social and economic fabric of bordering countries, and engagement with the SPDC serves only to further perpetuate lawlessness in Burma that threatens peace and stability throughout Asia.

"The U.N. has a role to play in creating a unified front against the regime. The Security Council should be briefed by U.N. Special Envoy Razali Ismail on the situation in Burma, and further action by that body should be contemplated.

"However, words of condemnation are not enough. While I was pleased to meet with Razali when he was in Washington last week, his time is better spent in Asia shuttling between capitals and marshaling support for the release of Suu Kyi and other democrats and for the recognition of the results of the 1990 elections.

"America's leadership is as important as ever. By signing the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, President Bush will clearly signal that the United States stands by the Burmese people in their hour of need. Our allies should take note of the import ban and other measure contained in the Act and immediately follow suit.

"Change will come to Burma only if the free world has the collective will to hold the SPDC accountable for its brutality.

"Some may continue to beat the ragged drum of engagement, but dialogue is as dead as those the SPDC murdered on May 30th. It is folly to think engagement will "encourage positive changes" within the SPDC - this tiger will never change its stripes. For over a decade, engagement has been tried. While the junta has made hollow promises of "reconciliation" with the NLD and ethnic nationalities, General Than Shwe has no intentions of relinquishing power on his own. He must be pressured by the world into doing so.

"It is not enough for envoys and diplomats to meet with Than Shwe's underlings and other senior SPDC leaders in Rangoon. Than Shwe's grip in Burma is no less than Saddam Hussein's was in Iraq. If Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian nations are to have an impact on the situation, they must deal directly with Burma's top thug.

"Let me be clear - Than Shwe is personally responsible for the May 30th murders and subsequent injury and arrest of countless Burmese democracy activists. He is responsible for the ongoing and systemic egregious human rights abuses perpetuated upon the ethnic nationalities.

"The fact that no outsider has seen Suu Kyi since Razali's brief meeting in early June should be a cause for alarm. We need to know exactly where she is being held and the state of her physical condition. No one has time for peek-a-boo games the junta may be interested in playing.

"Suu Kyi must be immediately and unconditionally released - along with all other democrats whose only crime is advocating democracy and the rule of law.

"With the passage of this Act, our work on this issue is hardly over. The people of Burma can count on America's continued support for the struggle for freedom in their country. I intend to seize every opportunity to advance this cause both in Washington and abroad.

"And I know that I count on many of my colleagues to do the same. Senators Feinstein and McCain, in particular, are no less outraged than I at the horrific abuses of the SPDC and the continued detention of Suu Kyi and other Burmese democrats. Congressmen Lantos, King and Hyde were equally energetic in responding to this crisis. Burma has no better friends than these freedom-loving Americans.

"Democracy and the rule of law will prevail in Burma. As we near this historic vote this morning, I'm reminded of the Reverend Martin Luther King's observation that the "arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice". This morning, we must commit ourselves never to tire in the pursuit of justice in long-suffering Burma until Suu Kyi is free and the struggle for freedom won.

"Mr. President, Suu Kyi has kindled the flame of freedom in the hearts and minds of her compatriots. America must ensure that it is never extinguished.

"Let me close by saying that the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act would not have moved so swiftly through Congress were not for the efforts of Senators Feinstein, McCain, Lugar, Biden, Grassley, Baucus and Leahy. In the House, Congressmen Lantos, DeLay, Thomas, Hyde and King were instrumental in securing swift passage of the Act. "The staff of those just mentioned also deserve recognition for the many hours spent drafting and revising legislation. While I thank my entire crew - Billy Piper, Brian Lewis, Robert Karem, and Paul Grove - I also want to give special recognition to my former staffer, Robin Cleveland, who sparked my interest in the struggle for freedom in Burma. The Burmese people have a friend for life in Robin.

"Finally, let me thank those in the NGO community for their tireless efforts in support of Burma. I know we can count on their continued vigilance.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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